You have reached the Seattle Audubon's Bird Sightings Hotline for
Saturday, February 21th, 1995, at 11:30 PM.

Highlights for western Washington this week include, DICKCISSEL, GREAT
GRAY OWL, ROSS'S GOOSE, PRAIRIE FALCON, PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER, GOLDEN
EAGLE, YELLOW-BILLED LOON, KING EIDER,.

A adult male DICKCISSEL has been visiting a feeder at Ocean Shores for
the past 10 days. It is being seen at the residence of Norm Schut
[pronounced "Shoot"] at 568 Ensign Road, Norm is very hospitable and said
that people are welcome to visit his home. You don't have to call ahead
of time--if he's not there, you can walk to the right of his garage and
peer into his backyard. However, do not go *into* the backyard. When
you're there it would be a common courtesy to leave your name and sign
the little register that he has started of visitors that come to see the
bird.

A GREAT GRAY OWL was discovered east of Bayview, in Skagit County, on
February 12th. To find this bird - from I-5 go west on Highway 20, turn
right, onto Port of Skagit County Road. Go up to Ovenell Road and take a
left, then go down about a quarter of a mile. It had been in trees along
the road as recently as yesterday, February 16th.

The ROSS'S GOOSE, reported earlier this winter is still present up on the
Samish Flats. It was on the south side of Avon Allen Road about half a
mile east of the corner tavern on February 17th and on February 19th, it
was seen point two [0.2] miles west of the junction of Field and Thomas
Road on the south side of the Jensen Dairy.

A GOLDEN EAGLE is still being seen, most recently at the intersection of
Bayview Edison Road and Sullivan Road on the Samish Flats on February
16th, and after a long period of no reports, a GYRFALCON was seen at the
90 degree bend on Samish Island Road on February 19th.

On the Skagit Flats, just west of Conway along Fir Island Road, at the
90-degree bend and heading in the direction of La Conner, a single
PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER was seen in a group of BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS on
February 19th. This is perhaps the same bird that had been frequenting
the Samish Flats earlier in the season.

The KING EIDER continues to be seen at the end of Hastie Lake Road on
Whidbey Island, last reported on February 19th. If you go to look for
this bird, be patient, as it sometimes likes to forge a considerable
distance from shore. Also, a spotting scope is a definite necessity.

The YELLOW-BILLED LOON at the John Wayne Marina, just to the southeast of
Sequim, was last reported on February 16th. Afternoon is the best time to
look for this bird as lighting conditions are most favorable at that
time. Other birds seen near the Marina include, 5 MUTE SWANS, EARED
GREBE, up to 6 BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS and MARBLED MURRELETS.

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.

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