Tweets,

I'm still in shock but I'll try to get this down correctly. I went down to
Nisqually today about 9:00 to see what, if anything, was going on. Not much
construction activity but lots torn up.

Walked out toward McAllister Creek to see if there was any water in the pond
yet and to see if any ducks were in yet. A little water and a few ducks,
MALLARDS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, and a couple of NORTHERN SHOVELERS. A good sized
flock of CANADA GEESE with our friend the feral DOMESTIC GOOSE right in the
center of the flock. Also saw NORTHERN HARRIERS, RED-TAILED HAWKS, and a
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK.

Walked down to the Twin Barns viewing platform as I was really looking for
LINCOLN'S SPARROWS. Found one too, along with lots of GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS,
SONG SPARROWS, SPOTTED TOWHEES, DARK-EYED JUNCOS, SAVANNAH SPARROWS, and HOUSE
FINCH. I was watching some GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS in the brush across from
the viewing platform, when another bird caught my eye...and I went into shock.
Alternating dark and light tan stripes on its hear, dark bill, plain grayish
underparts and a very well defined trapezoid shaped white patch under its
bill. The only thing that wasn't clear was the yellow between the bill and
eye...but the yellow on the YELLOW-CROWNED SPARROWS isn't very clear now
either. I watched the bird on and off for about 10 minutes as it flitted
abound and was chased by the YELLOW-CROWNED SPARROWS. My conclusion...there
was/is a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW at Nisqually. No one else was there to confirm
my sighting, but I'm back tomorrow about 8:00 to see if I can find him (her)
again. It really looked like the tan variety WHITE-THROATED SPARROW as shown
in Peterson's field guide. And, no, I didn't have my camera with me either.

I also saw a male BULLOCK'S ORIOLE in the same area.

Turned out to be one very good day...now if someone will just get the grass
fairy to mow my lawn....;-}

Phil Kelley
Lacey, WA
scrbjay at aol.com