Subject: Re: Northern Shrike this AM- Montlake Fill
Date: Sep 21 21:18:30 1998
From: Alan and Steve - tuftedpuffin at earthlink.net


Yes, I did consider a Brown Shrike, as well as Isabelline and Loggerhead. The
bird I observed this morning was a large sized shrike, with a well defined
hook to the bill, pale base on the lower mandible. The bird also had a light
colored rump, paler than the mantle, nearly the same color as the underparts.
These marks combined with the brownish cast and strongely barred underparts
helped to eliminate Loggerhead. At the base of the primaries was a well
defined and very distinct white patch, seen both while perched and in flight,
a mark lacking in nearly all Brown Shrikes, but present in some Isabelline.
These last two species are small shrikes with small bills and generally have
bright or at least distinctly tinged rufous rumps and tails.

The earliest Northern I have recorded is October 3, only 11 days away. Several
other species seem to be indicating that food sources north and at higher
elevations may be sparce this fall and winter. I have seen very large numbers
of Evening Grosbeaks and Steller's Jays so far this September, and I recall
hearing about an out of range Clark's Nutcracker in coastal BC. The numbers of
Varied Thrushes I encountered this weekend also seemed somewhat high and
unusual as well. I had one flock of 30 or more birds, and several others in
the 10's. Perhaps these are indications of things to come??


______________________________
Alan J. Knue
tuftedpuffin at earthlink.net
Seattle WA