Transcribed by Lisa M. Smith
subplot at u.washington.edu
phone (206) 523-9229

The Washington BirdBox is a voice mailbox sponsored by the Washington
Ornithological Society. To leave a message about a notable sighting, or
to listen to the 12 most recent messages, call (206) 454-2662 and follow
the prompts. First-time BirdBox users may find it convenient, before
calling, to review the status of Washington's chickadee species.

[Mailbox previously checked at 6 p.m. Monday, 9 December 1996.]

7:26 p.m. 12-09-96: Dave Beaudette, 206-365-2083. In Snohomish County, a
single SNOWY OWL was at the Big Ditch access to the Skagit Wildlife-
Recreation Area. The following are all for Skagit County. At the boat
launch near the headquarters were the 2 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS. I did not
look for the NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH. At the Jensen access was another SNOWY
OWL, and feeding on spilled grain along the railroad tracks just northwest
of the intersection of WA 20 and the Bayview-Edison Road were the 2
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS. Along the northeast part of March Point Road, a
flock of at least 48 SNOW BUNTINGS were on the catwalk and railings on
fuel tank #166. At the Samish Flats at the East 90 was a GYRFALCON. Also
seen from here were 3 PEREGRINES. In the fields south of the West 90 were
the 2 SNOWY OWLS. Bye bye.

9:48 a.m. 12-10-96: Scott Atkinson. I don't have anything to report today,
but I would like to pass along that the Sequim-Dungeness Christmas Bird
Count, held Saturday December 21st, is looking for observers to cover the
Lost Mountain area. This is foothill section primarily, south of Route 101
and west of the Dungeness River and also possibly the Point Washington
area, which is a mix of habitat just east and adjoining Sequim. This area
had MARBLED GODWITS recently and also has had NORTHERN GOSHAWK reports in
years past. We also may need some help in the upland sections elsewhere,
such as along Happy Valley and Palo Alto Roads. Highlights from the Lost
Mountain section in counts past: MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE, GRAY JAY, NORTHERN
PYGMY OWL, and ??? [sounds like Townsend's] WARBLER. If you're interested,
please give me a call at 360-691-7232, or else call the compiler direct in
Sequim. His name is Bob Vocalheide [sp?]. His number is 360-681-4867. Hope
to see you. Thanks!

2:21 p.m. 12-11-96: Kevin Aenerud, 523-6195, reporting today that the
BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER was again seen at Foster Island. It was between
the footbridge and the 520, with Bushtits, Chickadees, and other assorted
small birds.

4:52 p.m. 12-11-96: Patrick Sullivan, along with Ruth Sullivan, reporting
from Tacoma, Washington. The NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH at the Skagit Wildlife
Management area was again noted today, and photographed, just south of the
east parking lot along the canal. Good luck and good birding.

6:12 p.m. 12-11-96: Bob Sunstrom, 762-4327, reporting for December 11th.
At Big Ditch, 9 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS adjacent to the dike that cuts across
Big Ditch, feeding in berry bushes, presumable hawthornes, about 10
o'clock this morning. Also, on the Skagit Flats, along Best Road west of
Best Road and north of McLean, 6 SNOWY OWLS along the fence line. At the
West 90 on the Samish Flats, 4 SNOWY OWLS. West of Thomas on Sunset, a
dark charcoal-gray GYRFALCON. And along Rollins Road and ??? [sounds like
Moffett] Road, again back on the Skagit Flats, 4 SHORT-EARED OWLS.

8:57 p.m. 12-11-96: Tom Aversa, 782-7342, reporting for today, Samish
Flats. There were 6 SNOWY OWLS on the West 90. One of these birds was the
green-marked bird on the top of the head, the bird that was released by
the Zoo about a month ago. Let's see what else...there were 3 NORTHERN
SHRIKES around the area. There were also 19 LAPLAND LONGSPURS. In the wet
fields at the West 90, a flock of birds...3 SAVANNAH SPARROWS, and the
SCRUB JAY is still over on Bayview-Edison.

[Mailbox last checked at 11:15 p.m. Wednesday 12-11-96.]