The word went out yesterday.  If you want to see the white-winged crossbills at Washington Cemetery in Washington, PA now’s the time to do it.  The flock is large – about 100 – the weather is changing and they might leave. 

Amy Taracido, who writes the Rare Bird Alerts for western Pennsylvania, took the hint and went to the cemetery yesterday afternoon.  She and her husband saw dozens of Life Birds all at once.  To use her words, “The birds are so beautiful, like stained glass.”

Cris Hamilton braved the sleet last weekend to get this picture.  They are indeed beautiful, like confetti in the sky. 

Oh to have seen that many crossbills!  I went to the cemetery in December and found only two. 

Please stay there, little birds!  I can’t come to see you until the weekend.

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(photo by Cris Hamilton)