Birders, Help please.
Today we found a HUTTON'S VIREO on the Umatilla NWR, Benton County,
Washington.
While we are sure, we realize it shouldn't be here & I am soliciting info &
criticism.
Peterson Field Guide, Western Birds, says "some fall & winter dispersal" for
the interior.
Is that your experience? Do they migrate at all on the west side?
Malheur NWR has Huttons Vireo listed as accidental.
Anybody know when it was seen & by whom?
The only local record that I'm aware of is a Dec 5 sighting at McNary Park,
Umatilla OR, by Tony Greager.

Details: At 11:00 am Sept 5, 1998, we were at the Patterson Unit on the
Umatilla NWR
in southern Benton County WA. Washington DeLorme P28 A4.
I spotted a bird move about 30 feet high in grove of large Popular trees.
Understory.
We were about 40 feet away.
It sat under a large limb with leaves around it. It didn't move for six
minutes. (est)
With binocs I saw a yellowish-gray bird with prominent wing bars.
I couldn't figure out what the heck it was so I ran a short distance to get
the scope.
In the scope my first thought was Ruby-cr Kinglet, but that didn't last
long.
The bird was too big & the bill too prominent.
We saw: the light eye ring which was broken at the top.
The golden color in the primaries, extending directly from the wing bar. No
dark mark in wing.
At least part of the lower mandible was pale. Not "small black bill".
I forgot to note the light lores.
It looked like the west coast form in the National Geographic guide.
It finally dropped straight down into thick willows & wild rose.
It was silent. No ja-dit! We stayed there for over an hour trying to
relocate.
It didn't flick its wings. It did not respond to pishing!
No Ruby-crowned Kinglets have been seen locally yet this "fall".
I repeat, It didn't move for six minutes! Definitely not Kinglet like!
A Warbling Vireo was the only other bird in the trees. Did not see close
together.
We've seen Hutton's Vireo almost annually on the west-side.
Thanks for your help.
Craig

Craig Corder & Judy Stevens
Hermiston, Oregon, USA
Umatilla County in north/central/eastern Oregon
ccorder at eoni.com