We got an early morning start bicycling the south end of Whidbey
Island on Saturday 6/1/96. Birds were singing everywhere as the weather
was sunny, but got hazy cloudy later on. Lots of Black-headed Grosbeaks
singing, a few Western Tanagers were tuning up and Swainson's Thrushes
were practicing for their full performance repertoire in late June and
into July. Heard Winter Wrens only in the dense forest areas. Savannah
Sparrows spewed forth their insect-like songs at a few spots offering the
proper habitat of grassy fields. Wilson's Warblers were in full voice.
Common Yellowthroats sang from their accustomed places along wet ditches
and cattail patches. Warbling Vireos were really out in force. Heard a few
Black-throated Gray Warblers, just a few Yellow-rumped Warblers and a bird
I did not recognize: frustration, frustration. I'll have to get to those
tapes and videos and try to find out who it was, now if I can just
remember and recognize the song.

We did see an unusual Robin as we were heading south along Humphrey
Road just out of Clinton. DeLorme pg. 79 A5. It had pure white outer tail
feathers just like the Dark-eyed Junco or Meadlowlark. Otherwise it had
regular robin coloring with nice red breast, and regular brown back and
wings. Never saw anything like it before. Another interesting sighting at
a small pond on the east side of Bayview Road, about one and a half miles
north of State Route 525 near the intersection of Andreason Road, was a
male Bufflehead. DeLorme pg.95 D5. There was a big growth of cattails at
one end of the pond, dense forest on another side and pasture on the
remaining sides. Did not see the female. Could Buffleheads be nesting in
such a location? Experts how about it?

At Clinton ferry dock a large mature Bald Eagle sailed around seemingly
ignoring the numerous gulls that harrassed her. Also at the ferry dock
about a dozen Surf Scoters both male and female, until a jet-skier scared
them away. All in all a very good day of bicycling and birding.

Erin

Bill and Erin Woods Woods Tree Farm Redmond, WA U.S.A.
<wwwbike at halcyon.com>