This morning along the eastern leg of the loop trail at Nisqually I observed
an interesting flycatcher.

It appeared to be an Empidonax species, about six inches in length.
Brownish/grayish upper surfaces (back, tail), dark wings (couldn't observe
clearly enough to see wing bars),lighter below with a dusky or light grayish
band across the breast and lighter throat. Maybe some yellowish on the
belly. Tail dark underneath, light under tail coverts. Its beak had a dark
upper mandible, yellow/orange lower mandible. It was constantly giving a
"whit" or "wit" note.

The thing which was unusual was the amount of white on its head. In fact the
head was mostly white with a few brown or grey streaks along the crown and
fewer behind the eyes.

I took this to be an unusual Willow Flycatcher because of the habitat and
preponderance of that species in the area.

Pete Taylor, a volunteer at Nisqually observed it closely too, and may add
to the description later (he said he is not currently on Tweeters).

Other opinions?
Michael B. Brown
Puyallup, Washington
H-253-841-4281
W-253-841-8733
C-253-208-9588
borealis at borealis.seanet.com
Nature Trail- http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us/elem/firgrove/brown/trail.htm
Home Page- http://www.seanet.com/~borealis/Resume.htm

"...I found myself suddenly neighbor to the birds; not by having imprisoned
one, but having caged myself near them."

-Thoreau
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(o!o)
((___))
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