Subject: Washington BirdBox 29-31 January 1997
Date: Jan 31 18:34:57 1997
From: "Lisa M. Smith" - subplot at u.washington.edu


Transcribed by Lisa M. Smith
subplot at u.washington.edu
phone: (206) 523-9229

The Washington BirdBox is a voice mailbox sponsored by the Washington
Ornithological Society. To leave a message about a notable sighting, or
to 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 at twelve noon on Wednesday, 29 January 1997.]

6:37 pm 01-29-97: Ian McGregor, 361-4784. A trip to the Samish Flats,
specifically the area from the river mouth to the cliff base at Samish
Island, was undertaken today, including the West 90. The highlights were:
3 SNOWY OWLS, 1 GYRFALCON (dark phase), 1 MERLIN, 3 to 5 ROUGH-LEGGED
HAWKS (including 1 dark-phase bird), uncountable BALD EAGLES, and, most
surprising to me, 25 at least EURASIAN WIGEON males--mostly in the field
on the flats just below the road up to Samish Island. These birds were
with some PINTAIL, AMERICAN WIGEON, and some MALLARDS, and they were
*very* skittish. I watched them from the road up to Samish Island through
the trees and could not see all of them. I'm sure there were many more
EURASIAN WIGEON than that in the flock. Good birding.

10:10 pm 01-29-97: Tom Aversa. A few birds from a trip down to Grays
Harbor/Ocean Shores area. The highlight I guess was probably a
WHITE-TAILED KITE at the Hoquiam sewage treatment area, right on the left
side of Paulson Road as you're going in there. The bird was very visible
and cooperative. There was also an EARED GREBE in the sewage ponds there.
There were 6 TRUMPETER SWANS still remaining in the swamp near Ocean City
State Park. 17 SNOWY OWLS down on Damon Point and a PALM WARBLER right in
that immediate area also. GREATER WHITE-FRONT, immature, down on the golf
course. Good luck.

[no messages in mailbox for Thursday, 30 January 1997]

11:01 am 01-31-97: Mike Blue in Renton. I went down to the Clay Street
marsh on Thursday, and the ROSS' GOOSE was still present. This was at
about noon on Thursday. Also there, were a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE and
an immature NORTHERN SHRIKE. Thank you.

5:16 pm 01-31-97: Mike Huston in Spokane. There's a HAWK OWL in Cheney on
the campus of Eastern Washington University. Apparently, it's been seen
for at least 10 days around the campus, and this afternoon it was seen by
a good number of people east of Washington Street and north of Elm Street.
In the past, the story is it's been seen in the center of campus at
various times, near the pub and near the science building. Have a good
weekend.

[Mailbox last checked at 6 p.m. on Friday, 31 January 1997.]