Subject: Rusty Blackbird, Harris' Sparrow and Clay-colored Sparrow
Date: Jan 31 14:11:38 1998
From: B&P Bell - bellasoc at mail.isomedia.com


Hi Tweets -

This morning Rick Romea, Cindy Sprecher, Martha Taylor and I went out to
the Two Rivers Wildlife area in search of the Rusty Blackbird. We had
been there (the north access - down the road and to the west when
entering the series of fields) a short while scoping out a few sparrows,
when a blackbird-sized bird flew into the hedgerow (about half way to
the fence along the west). Upon examination it turned out to be a Rusty
Blackbird. After examining it for a few minutes we were joined by Bruce
LaBar, and later Dave Swayne.

It was all dark with rustyish head markings, rusty on the nape, rusty on
the tertials (rusty and dark markings and lightish edgings), and
rusty/buff edgings to the secondaries. The breast markings were a neat
series of scallopy lightish edgings to the feathers - almost barred
appearing. It had a dark eye leading us to conclude that it was a
juvenile. We studied the bird for about 20 minutes, and during this time
it was quietly, calmly foraging in some dead grass at the edge of the
hedgerow and paid us no attention.

We then moved on to the west and near the fence to study sparrow flocks.
They were really skittish this morning, but finally we located a large
flock back to the east along the hedgerows in the direction we had
walked in from. Mostly White-crowns and Golden-crowns and Song
Sparrows, but eventually out popped the Harris' Sparrow. Nice buffyish
auricular patch outlined on the head, and a nice clean breast with a
prominent black spot with extensions to the side (not quite a complete
necklace). Had to look for a long time because the birds were feeding on
the ground in tractor ruts, and spooked frequently. Eventually they
disappeared into the hedgerow. When we walked over closer and waited,
the Harris' jumped up on a blackberry branch and gave a good view for
about 20 seconds.

Dave Swayne then called us, another lone blackbird had flown in - it
turned out to be another Rusty Blackbird. Same general plumage as the
first one, but this one had a nice light eye with a black iris. This
bird was hunkered down in the downed corn stalks near the corner of the
fence (the corner with prominent Posted signs on it). It basically did
not move during the 10 or so minutes we observed it. Later Dave said it
had stayed there for another 45 minutes, and when it flew it had an
injured leg.

We then went down to the Woodinville-Duvall Rd and W. Snoqualmie Valley
Rd. intersection. At the edge of the field we had a flock of sparrows
feeding, and the Clay-colored Sparrow was with them. We watched the bird
feed among the grasses, alternately visible and hidden for about 15
minutes. Very plain bird, but definitely different from the other
sparrows. Smaller, much paler, but the head stripe and pattern showing.

Other birds during the morning: Red-tailed Hawk, Stellar's Jay, Northern
Flicker (red), Pileated Woodpecker heard, loads of blackbirds,
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Trumpeter Swan. A very pleasant morning, made
better by being clear and sunny. Cold early, then warming.

Good birding,

Brian H. Bell
Woodinville Wa
bellasoc at isomedia.com