You have reached the Seattle Audubon's Bird Sightings Hotline for
Saturday, February 3rd, 1995, at 7:00 PM.

On December 16th, 1995, the trusty Code-a-phone answering machine, used
for so many years as the Seattle Audubon's Rare Bird Alert, left this
world and went to another. After a long search, a new digital system has
now been put in place. This machine should give more reliable service
than the old analog tape systems. Please let us know if you have any
comments or problems.

Without further ado, I'll move on to the recent bird sightings.

The King Eider, first discovered in mid December, at the Hastie Lake Road
boat landing on Whidbey Island has not been reported since January 20th.

A YELLOW-BILLED LOON as been hanging out at the John Wayne Marina near
Sequim. It was last reported on January 29th. Nearby A PALM WARBLER was
seen at the Dungeness Recreation Area on the same day.

At the Samish and Skagit Flats area, a single adult ROSS'S GOOSE, in a
flock of several thousand WIGEONS along Darcy Road which is east of
Bayview Edison road. A Gyrfalcon has been seen at the regular spots at
the "West 90" on Samish Island Road, east of Bow. On January 27th, at
least 3 immature WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were in a flock of
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS near the parking lot at the Skagit Wildlife
Management Area. One adult BLUE GOOSE was in a flock of about 5,000 SNOWS
just off Fir Island Road the same day.

In Renton, two GLAUCOUS GULLS were seen at the Gene Coulon Memorial Beach
Park on January 26th. In West Seattle, a second year Glaucous Gull was
seen at Alki Beach and a imm. Heerman's Gull was seen near Salty's
Restaurant on February 3rd.

For the most up to date information on rare birds call the Washington
Ornithological Society's Bird Box at (206) 454-2662, and for the latest
from Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho call (208) 882-6195 or the
Tri-Cities at (509) 943-6957.

For SAS field trips, or for information on conservation and education
issues please call the office at 523-4483 during office hours, 10-4
Monday through Friday and 10-2 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.