Well, the last year of the 20th century is here (or is it the next to last ?
:-}).
May it be a good year for all of you.

My year got off to a better, if not spectacular start. The first bird of the
year was an OREGON RACE, DARK-EYED JUNCO, followed closely by a MOURNING DOVE.
Last year started with an ENGLISH SPARROW. Ugh! At least this year it is a
native species.

My Christmas (card) bird count was very brief with 19 birds of 7 species on 2
cards. 1 card had a lone BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE on it. All the rest were on
the other card, sent by a birder friend.

They were:

2 BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES
1 BLUE JAY
2 CARDINALS
2 BLUEBIRDS
7 GOLDFINCHES
2 ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS
2 PURPLE FINCHES

I hope 1999 is a good year for all of you and I look forward to seeing you in
the field.

Phil Kelley
Lacey, WA
scrbjay at aol.com