On Sun, 30 Jun 1996, Jon. Anderson and Marty Chaney wrote:

> My vote is to report what we see (or think we see). If there's confusion about
> the validity of a sighting, somone will call us on it.
> I certainly welcome constructive criticism - mainly because I tend
> to do my best learning that way - and it teaches me to better document
> what I've seen.

I think every birder has had the experience of "publicly" misidentifying a
bird; I've done it several times in the past year--no one is perfect.
I agree; this is the best way to learn because you become more cautious
and more demanding on your own observations. There's a certain drop in
security when you move from "I'm pretty sure that's a...." to "hold on,
what about its......", but I think this change marks a transition in
experience.

As for Goldeneyes in NE Washington, we've seen a lot of Barrows' at
Turnbull NWR (if that is considered NE, rather than just E). When we
spotted Common Goldeneyes at Sequim on vacation this year, it was very
difficult to tell which species the hens were at a distance. Fortunately,
the males began to surface and move closer to the shore, making the ID
easier. I've not yet seen any Commons at Turnbull (our favorite haunt for
birding), but I'll keep looking...:)

-Pat
Moscow, ID


P.S. Our first feeder has really become a hit! We have lots of House
Finches, Pine Siskins, an occasional House Sparrow (uncommon enough on our
street to be exciting!), a Chipping Sparrow (who loves dandelions), and
lately, our first Am. Goldfinches! (I didn't know the females could be
quite so bright, but their summer plumage is shocking!) I'll give you one
guess as to what the feeder's ingredient is....:)