Subject: Siberian Accentor
Date: Feb 24 02:30:03 1997
From: Eelevel at aol.com - Eelevel at aol.com


Saw bird at 10:50A, on 2/16. Back to site several times but only that
siting by us. Others reported seeing the bird with latest siting when we
left was at 10:10A on 2/22. On last trip to site, we met Poo Wright Pulliam
(208-788-3903--Poo has no computor), who first observed the bird (on
12/27/96), identified it, and drew a sketch of it. Forgive commercializing,
but Poo has designed a unique sweatshirt ($20.00) called "Rare Bird" showing
stats on original siting and her sketch of the bird. Poo said that over 400
people have signed log and she estimates that over a thousand people have
come to the site. Neighbor in whose yard notorious feeder located said that
one guy came from Sweden. Apparently the bird has made a number of hot
lines. We gave Poo a transcript of some reports we had gotten from Tweeters.
Poo said that gyrfalcon was observed on phone lines on Gannett Road as well
as on Pumpkin Hollow Road. She also said that two gyrfalcons had been
observed. We saw two birds on power poles on Gannett Road on 2/18, large.
with greyish heads and white, with brown/tan speckles on wings and
underbody--very beautiful. We are novicies at identification and assumed
they were red winged hawks. We saw at least 4 rough legged hawks in
vicinity of Gannett Road and Hy 20. We saw red fox off Gannett Road stalk
and catch a small varmit. Also saw two immature bald eagles at Siilver Creek
Conservancy site; one was surprisingly tame, sitting in tree while we drove
under it.
North of Hy 20 between Pumpkin Hollow Road and Gannett Road and even with
entry to "Silver Creek Ranch" we saw GBH rookery with at least 15 birds. Poo
said that she was not aware that the birds had returned.
We returned (2/22) by way of Umitilla Wildlife Reserve, arriiving at
McCormick Slough site shortly before sunset (beautiful, with Mt. Hood in
distance), observing flocks of Canada Geese and Mallards returning from
fields as well as herd of 50 plus mule deer. On 2/23, we observed three
golden eagles over Hy 14 where road to Whitcom Island site turns off.
A glorious trip, thanks to Tweeters.