I received a phone call from Priscilla Christensen this morning. She and
her husband were in the North (Carty) Unit of Ridgefield NWR December 31
and spotted a female Vermilion Flycatcher. They are very familiar with the
species as they are in Texas every spring where they are abundant.

Walk over the bridge. Instead of taking the main trail north turn left and
take the steep trail below the outhouses to the west. The trail leads out
into an open meadow. The bird was low down in small willows and brush in
that area.

The bird had a buffy-rose belly contrasting with the white streaked breast.
It was a fairly small bird (smaller than a Say's Phoebe) with small bill
and flycatching habits.

Harry Nehls, Portland, Or.
hnehls at teleport.com (503) 233-3976