Subject: WA State RBA (March 19, 1993)
Date: Mar 23 14:50:08 1994
From: Eugene Hunn - hunn at u.washington.edu

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 along old Hwy 10 east of Ellensburg between Kittitas and Vantage in
Schnebly Coulee at the Quilomene WRA access road. Says Phoebes and Mountain
Bluebirds were back in Schnebl y Coulee March 5. Also ahead of schedule was
the CASPIAN TERN over Naselle along the lower Columbia River Feb. 19 and an
AMERICAN AVOCET at the Yakima River mouth March 5, both several weeks ahead
of previous early arrival dates. TREE and VIOLET-GREEN S WALLOWS 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.

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.

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.

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 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 Hansville YELLOW-BILLED LOON was seen again Feb. 26 both at the Hansville
Store and at the Pt. No Point lighthouse. This is at the northern tip of the
Kitsap Peninsula.

Two adult and one first winter LITTLE GULLS have been seen sporadically on
American Lake south of Tacoma. The immature was last reported March. 3.
They have most often been seen at the southern end of the lake, south of
Silcox Island. The best access p oints are off exit 122, marked "Camp
Murray." Go west from this exit one long block, then left on a dirt road to
a boat launch. Access is also possible through the Camp Murray gate at exit
122. A permit and directions may be obtained at the gate.

Up to five GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE are with Canadas at the Nisqually NWR
through Feb. 16.

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.

The SAS Winter Bird Tour found a flock of 1000 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS in Winthrop
Feb. 20. A few SNOW BUNTINGS were with HORNED LARKS north of Lamoine on the
Waterville Plateau, also Feb. 20.

A BLACK BRANT and a SNOW GOOSE, unusual along the Snake River, have been
reported at Clarkston, WA., and in adjacent Idaho.


Five TURKEY VULTURES were spotted on their way north near Oak Harbor on
Whidbey Is. March 18. 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.

A MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD was reported north of Redmond in the Sammamish River
Valley March 18.GULL was last seen there March 3

An adult LITTLE GULL was seen off Pt. No Point on the n tip of the Kitsap
Peninsula March. 12.

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.

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.

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.