Unidentified projectiles

Observer: Estella Yee
Date: 10-13
Location: West of Art Building, North of Collins
Time: 1105-1125
Weather: 56˚, clear skies

I witnessed a barrage of projectiles gliding between the magnolia or rhododendron shrubs and a fir. On closer analysis, they were small birds of a brown coloration. No more than 3 inches in length, they resembled a ball of fuzz, reminding me of a kiwi. The majority of them were these bushtits but a couple of larger, white colored birds joined in the mix. A sudden movement in front of me provided me the opportunity to look at a chickadee barely one foot away from where I stood. At eye level, I noticed the sharp contrast of black head and white body, deep dark eyes, a white streak at its cheeks, and with that it disappeared before I started to register the sight. The call had a bit of a repetition, sounding similar to chi chi dee dee (big surprise). The fir tree on which the aerial display occurred had 5-inch long elliptical cones with small horizontal lines created by the scales. On the tree trunk was a 3-foot high line of squirrel scat. At the base of the trunk laid a small pile of dark dung, perhaps laid by squirrels that inhabited the nest in the branches. The tree’s profile tended to lean toward the west and then returned to a vertical form, creating an odd curvature as an overall result. The lower branches appear bared of leaves and cones. Some of the birds hung along the ends of the branches and pecked at the cones. At 1120, the chirps diminished and the birds fled to the nearby sequoias and Star Trees. As I left, two squirrels appeared and started digging holes to hide their new cache of vitals. I wonder if the squirrels and birds have some sort of schedule planned out?

*Note: the image was taken at the Botanical Gardens near the rose bushes in front of the windowpane overlooking the Spark's pool. The bird was identical to the one I saw near the art building.