[direct from home via kermit et al.]

To skip the details and just leave a message punch 5 and wait for the tone.

For sick or injured birds call the Wild Bird Clinic at 941-2174 [or PAWS at
743-3845 or 743-1884].

More signs of spring: the first SAGE SPARROWS were singing on territory Feb.
20 in Schnebly Coulee along old Hwy 10 east of Ellensburg between Kittitas
and Vantage. Says Phoebes and Mountain Bluebirds were back in Schnebly
Coulee March 5. TREE and VIOLE T-GREEN SWALLOWS are now widespread in the
Puget Sound area in numbers. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS have been reported since
March 6 in Discovery Park, Seattle, in the North Bluff area feeding on early
blooming salmonberries. Five TURKEY VULTURES were spotted on their way north
near Oak Harbor on Whidbey Is. March 18. WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS had returned
to the Sun Lakes in the Grand Coulee March 21.

At least five PERGRINES were still in the Seattle vicinity March 12. They
should be leaving soon. Please report any late sightings for the record.

At Lake Sammamish State Park near Issaquah RED-TAILED HAWKS and GREAT BLUE
HERONS are active at nest sites, while four SWAMP SPARROWS remain at various
points in the park as at the boat launch off East Lake Sammamish Dr. and near
the Egghead Software ware house. A MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD was reported north of
Redmond in the Sammamish River Valley March 18.

The winter male RUSTY BLACKBIRD in Lynnwood was seen again March 11. It has
been seen in a mixed blackbird flock near the corner of sw 200th and 50th w
and is now molting into breeding plumage.

The Tacoma SLATY-BACKED GULL was last reported March 11 in the vicinity of
the Gog-le-hi-te Mitigated Wetland off Lincoln Ave. It was on the Puyallup
River near the lowest bridge. The immature GLAUCOUS GULL was last seen there
March 3.

The GYRFALCON at the West 90 on Samish Is. Rd. nw of Mt Vernon has been hard
to find, but was still in the vicinity as late at March 16, as it is being
tracked by satellite. The West 90 was crawling with raptors March 19,
however, with many HARRIERS, ROUG H-LEGGED HAWKS, RED-TAILS, including a
HARLAN'S, and BALD EAGLES of all descriptions.

The Ocean Shores GYR was reported on the open beach 3 mi north of the the
jetty March 10 chasing a PEREGRINE. A WILLETS was seen at the mouth of the
Palix R. on the east shore of Willapa Bay March 6.

A WHITE-TAILED KITE was a the Julia Butler Hansen NWR west of Cathlamet on
the lower Columbia River Feb. 19. A male TUFTED DUCK has been seen regularly
nearby in the channel between Little Is. and Puget Island near Cathlamet.
After crossing the bridge f rom Little to Puget Is. turn right 1/8 mile to
the Roda house. Look for it here.

Another adult male TUFTED DUCK turned up at Wallula Jct. se of Pasco March
20. Look for it at the Walla Walla Grain Growers silo at the Port of Wallula
off Hwy 730 just sw of the jct. with US 12 at the mouth of the Walla Walla
River. This is in the DeLo rme Atlas on page 40, area D-1. A female
OLDSQUAW, rare east of the Cascades, were also seen there.

Andy Stepniewski reports locating two GREAT GRAY OWLS in eastern Okanogan Co.
March 11-12. One was at the the south edge of Moses Meadow on the Colville
Reservation, De Lorme Atlas pg. 101, T34N, R29-30E. The second was on Mt.
Annie Rd. sw of Wauconda, 1 .5 mi south of the National Forest boundary.

If you're headed for Spokane you might drive up Mt. Spokane north of the
city. Andy Stepniewski found singing WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, PINE
GROSBEAKS, SNOW BUNTINGS, and BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS between the snowpark lot at
4200 feet and the summit March 6. He also located a GYRFALCON and a SNOWY
OWL near Mondovi west of Reardon.

The SAS Sage Grouse Lek Tour to the Yakima Firing Center March 19 four 14
SAGE GROUSE and a SAGE THRASHER. They also spotted three FERRUGINOUS HAWKS
north of Sunnyside in the lower Yakima Valley.

For SAS field trips, or for information on conservation and education issues
please call the office at 523-4483 during office hours, 10-4 Tuesday through
Saturday.

That's all for now. If you have news to report, wait for the tone, then give
your name, phone number, and the details. Thanks and good birding.

Bye. Gene.