Subject: Re: Hello to all.
Date: Sep 10 21:35:02 1996
From: gerald hamilton - gerald at e-z.net


Jack Castro wrote:
>
> Thanks to everyone for replying to my first post. I appreciate all the feed
> back as I am still at a stage where I cannot identify many of my observations
> (although my wife and other non-birders think I am an expert already).
>
> ...from Dennis Paulson
> > Welcome to tweeters, Jack. Is there any possibility that what you saw were
> > Cedar Waxwings? They are constantly flycatching at this time of year, and
> > they go in flocks.
>
> It's true the coloration of the breast was similar to Waxwings, but I think I
> would have recognized the head. I did get several good looks from the side.
> That is how I was able to pick out the wing bars. Also, I did not hear the
> Waxwing call (or song?) which I am familiar with. I was looking at the Stokes
> Field guide yesterday evening at a book store and noticed a couple of fly
> catchers (I think Hammond's was one of them) that looked similar to what I
> think I saw. The biggest discrepancy is the size. I am beginning to think they
> were not as big as I had thought. Anyways, I'm sure this will not be the last
> time I can't identify something. It would not be as much fun if I could
> identify everything easily.
>
> >>I also saw passed ... two thrushes of some sort
> >>on a log acros the trail. I did not get a good look at them before they flew
> > >away.
> >
> > A spotted thrush in the mountains at this time of year is almost surely a
> > Hermit Thrush.
>
> Yes this was a spotted thrush and I was suspecting it was either a Hermit
> Thrush or Swainson's Thrush from the pictures in my field guide.
>
> And Gerald (Hamilton), thanks for the interesting information on Ridgefield. I
> am glad you could confirm the Egret sightings. And thanks for the pointers to
> the Julia Butler Hansen and Willapa refuges.
>
> And on a different note, as I have been typing this message this morning, there
> has been a steady stream of Blackcapped Chickadees and Red Breasted Nuthatches
> coming to my window feeder here at my office. My boss is flying in from Texas
> tomorrow to give my my yearly review. I hope he understands....
>
> Jack
>
> --
> Jack Castro (206) 641-7001
> Sr. Technical Representative
> The MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation
> 15400 S.E. 30th Place, Suite 101
> Bellevue, WA 98007
> Fax: (206) 641-6924
> Email: jack.castro at macsch.com
> WWW: http://www.macsch.com/
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jack:
Glad to be of help. Contact me by e-mail if and when you
visit either of these 2 refuges...........there are particular spots in
each that are best suited for bird=watching. Especially
Willapa------there are areas around the peninsula and Willapa Bay and
the ocean that are not part of the refuge that are fantastic for
birders. Examples of what you can see in the winter are: Brown Pelicans,
Brant, Red-breasted Merganzers, Trumpeter Swans, Loons, Black
Turnstones,Red-neck Greebs, Canvasback ducks, geese, etc. etc. etc.
Thousands og ducks of many species can be seen on Wallapa Bay at the
south end by U.S. 101 in the winter.
ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN VISTING THESE 2 AREAS CAN
CONTACT ME, AND I'LL BE GLAD TO HELP.
Ger.