Transcribed by Hal Opperman
halop at u.washington.edu
phone (206) 635-0503

The Washington BirdBox is a voice mailbox sponsored by the Washington
Ornithological Society. To leave a message about a notable sighting, or
listen to the 12 most recent messages, call (206) 454-2662 and follow the
prompts. First-time BirdBox users may find it convenient, before calling,
to review the status of Washington's chickadee species.

[Mailbox previously checked by Bob Norton at 11:30 a.m. January 18th,
1997.]

8:56 p.m. January 16th - caller is Marcus Roening (clarification of a
message previously posted)

5:54 p.m. January 18th - Hello. This is Dave Beaudette at 206-365-2083.
Today January 18th I went on the WOS field trip to Skagit County, led by
Bob Kuntz. Also present were Roger Ornaz (?), Kraig Kemper, and others.
At 1131 Bayview-Edison Road in Bayview was a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW on the
southern edge of the property. Also, across the road from here was the
[WESTERN] SCRUB-JAY in some small trees.. And in the big field south of
Fir Island Road along the west side of Wiley Road was a possible
SLATY-BACKED GULL. Unfortunately, viewing conditions (wind and rain) were
less than adequate to make a firm call. Bye bye.

8:43 a.m. January 19th - Hi. This is Steve Mlodinow. Jim Flynn, Steve
Pink, and I went up to San Juan Island in the lovely rain yesterday and
got very wet. And this December (?) nothing traumatic or dramatic. On
the ferry ride there was a little bit less than usual numbers. There was
an ANCIENT MURRELET, however. At the island itself the best things were
at Cattle Point during tidal change. When there was a good rip tide going
we had about a thousand COMMON MURRES, about a hundred MARBLED MURRELETS,
and a nice group of rocky shorebirds which included about four ROCK
SANDPIPERS. A GOLDEN EAGLE was at American Camp. A nice purebreed female
[NORTHERN] YELLOW-SHAFTED FLICKER was there as well. Three SKY LARKS were
present there too. And I think that about covers it. Good luck and good
birding!

11:32 a.m. January 19th - This is Barry Levine from Seattle, reporting on
a trip to Vancouver [B. C.] yesterday in the dreary, rainy weather. The
best birds of the day were a COMMON EIDER which can be seen at Tipsilano
(?) Beach which is right near the pool off of that area. It's quite easy
to see -- look for the yellow bill on the bird. It's in with a large
flock of scoters. The other bird that we saw that was of note was a
TUFTED DUCK at Stanley Park. And if you go to Lost Lagoon, go to the
bridge that is on the side opposite the city, and it should be fairly easy
to see as well. A lotta SNOWY OWLS and SHORT-EARED OWLS as well in
Boundary Bay. That's it, good luck and talk to you soon.

4:53 p.m. January 19th - Hello. This is Patrick Sullivan along with Ruth
Sullivan reporting from Tacoma, Washington. The adult RED-SHOULDERED HAWK
previously reported on the BirdBox in Sequim in Clallam County was again
observed today between 1:20 and 2:15 p.m. along Sequim Avenue, at the
intersection of Sequim Avenue and Primrose Lane, in a field to the
southeast in willow trees. Other birds noted included one PEREGRINE
FALCON and one ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. Thank you.

6:23 p.m. January 19th - Hi. This is Scott Downes at 361-7073. Today Jim
Flynn, Steve Pink, and I went to the Samish and Skagit Flats. At the game
range at Skagit we had three WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS including two
tan-striped and a white-striped form. At the Bayview-Edison scrub-jay
feeder we had the [WESTERN] SCRUB-JAY as well as a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER
across the road. And on Bayview-Edison just south of Sullivan Road was an
immature gray-phase GYRFALCON. The bird was sitting on a telephone pole.
It flew east of the road into the fields after about five minutes of
watching the bird. Also of note: some very large flocks of SNOW GEESE
were at the North Fork access off of Rawlins Road. That's it. Good luck
and good birding! Thanks. Bye.

7:11 p.m. January 19th - Hello. This is Bob Boekelheide, 360-681-4867.
Confirming what the Sullivans reported earlier today, the RED-SHOULDERED
HAWK is in Sequim. When I saw it, it was still along Three Crabs Road,
about nine o'clock in the morning. If you turn towards the east at Three
Crabs Restaurant, drive exactly a mile to house with address 1001, and
look off to the south. It was spending time in Lombardy poplars, oh,
maybe a quarter of a mile or so south of Three Crabs Road. It's nice
adult bird, lots of white speckling on the back, and nice rusty-red front.
So, thank you, Tom Aversa, for finding the bird. We local yokels
appreciate it. Good bye.

6:49 p.m. January 20th - Hello. This is Dave Beaudette at 206-365-2083.
I spent the day, January 20th, birding Sequim and Clallam County. After
searching most of the day the adult RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was seen from 2:40
to 3:10 p.m. The bird was seen about one quarter mile due south of the
Three Crabs Road and Golden Sands Boulevard in a row of small evergreen
and poplar trees. The bird is very well marked and very beautiful. Do
not for any reason miss an opportunity to view this bird! Also at the
small slough near this intersection were two calling VIRGINIA RAILS, and
at the feeder at the yellow house at the intersection was a WHITE-THROATED
SPARROW of the white-striped form. Bye bye.

6:58 p.m. January 20th - Hi. This is Dave Beaudette again. I forgot to
mention other birders who saw the RED-SHOULDERED HAWK at the previous
location. These were Greg Toffic, Bob Boekelheide, and others. Thank
you. Bye.

[Mailbox last checked at 1:40 p.m. January 21st, 1997.]