Purple Martin

· Point Reyes

Today was a busy workday for both of us. In the mid-afternoon, I walked out to the back deck and spotted a wimpering Sharp-shinned hawk under duress and fierce attack by a Purple Martin (Progne subis) while roughly 20 Cliff Swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) flew rapidly around the other two, making a racket and circling closer and closer. It was quite a sight to see. Here is more about the Purple Martin.

"The genus name Progne is from Greek mythology. Progne or Procne (Πρόκνη), the daughter of King Pandion of Athens and wife of King Tereus of Thrace, was transformed into a swallow. The specific epithet subis is Latin for a bird mentioned by the Roman author Nigidius Figulus that could break eagles' eggs. It may have been applied to this species because of its aggression toward birds of prey when it is nesting.[8]"

Noted in the 10th book of Pliny the Elder's Natural History

In other news, I'm "Berkeley-style famous" after an old picture of me at the Farmers' Market appeared in the Berkeleyside. Totally hilarious. Thanks, Rebecca! (Sporting my long beloved hat from the PRC that ran away, and the awesome coat from @dema_sf)

Many quail families with teenagers

Have a fierce night and sleep well.

Sending oodles of love,

Tawnia

Bird List - 38 species today

California Quail
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Anna's Hummingbird
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
White-tailed Kite
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Acorn Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Western Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Steller's Jay
California Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Oak Titmouse
Purple Martin
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Wrentit
Pacific Wren
Bewick's Wren
European Starling
Western Bluebird
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
Dark-eyed Junco
Song Sparrow
California Towhee
Spotted Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird