Last New Year's day was spent doing a Christmas bird count, at Big Ditch
but when Jim Flynn called and suggested we get our 1998 King Co. list of
to a good start, it sounded good to me and off we went. We went from
DesMoines to Kent to Alki. In between we were able find 76 species of
birds, between the hours of 6:00 AM-3:30 PM. Thats when I left, Jim may
have added more after I left. Among the highlights were a Scrub Jay at the
corner of 106th and 35th Ave, in West Seattle. A Hermit Thrush was found
about 2 blocks to the east. The bird must have been trained, Jim ordered
frontal view, we got frontal view, he wanted to see the tail the bird
obliged. Then we asked for a side view and again the bird was cooperative.
Our last good bird of the day were two White-throated Sparrows, either
tan-striped or immature on Lund St. in Auburn. If you want directions Jim
could most likely help out with this as I'm not as familar with S.King Co.
as he is. Its the same place where the CBC had them. Did not try for the
Blue Jay, but glad to hear its still around. Gee so many good birds around
for the year list right now, so little time.


Scott Downes
sdownes at u.washington.edu
Seattle WA