Subject: Past East-side Hutton's Vireo reports
Date: Feb 27 19:05:44 1999
From: Craig Corder - ccorder at eoni.com


Birders,
On Sept 5, 1998 we were shocked to find a HUTTON'S VIREO in Benton County
Washington,(north of Irrigon). Until then we thought they didn't migrate &
that other east-side reports were questionable. I put out a request for
other records & will now summarize what was reported to me.


In eastern Oregon:
There are at least five May records for Malheur HQ, Harney County, SE
Oregon. Littlefield's book Birds of Malheur list three: 05/07/76; 05/18/76;
and 05/17/80. Judy and Jim Carlson found one there on May 29, 1978.
Another was seen 05/06/91 by Mike & MerryLynn Denny. MerryLynn took a nice
photo which I've passed around & so far everyone agrees its Hutton's.

On Dec 5, 1986 Tony Greager found one at McNary Park, Umatilla OR. It was
vocal.

In eastern Washington:
On May 27, 1990, Eugene Hunn found & recorded a singing Hutton's at Wenas
Campground. He made an identifiable sonogram. Wenas is north & a little
west of Yakima. DeLorme p 50, B3.

On Oct 8, 1994, Tony Greager found a Hutton's on the Arid Lands Ecology
Reserve in Benton County WA (NW of the Tri-Cities). DeLorme p 38 A3.
It was with 25 Ruby-crowned Kinglets. He wrote up an excellent report.

Sept 5, 1998, Craig Corder & Judy Stevens found a Hutton's on the Umatilla
National Refuge in Benton County WA. DeLorme p 28 A4. It was 11:00 am &
already above 90 degrees. The bird was sitting 25 feet up in a Popular Tree
seeking shade under a small limb. It did not move for about six minutes
allowing me to get the scope on it. It finally dropped straight down into
some dense brush & was not seen again. It was silent. My pishing brought
no response. We did consider Bell's Vireo, but the two strong wing bars
should rule out Bell's.

Thanks to all who responded and a special Thank You to Alan Contreras for
his comments.

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