Hi Tweeters,

Despite the Weaather Channels slight (usual?) exaggeration this morning of
a "monster storm poised to clobber the Pacific Northwest," my mother and I
ventered forth to see the Rustic Bunting in Leavenworth. Steady snowfall
did begin at the base of the climb over Blewett Pass, and then continued
the rest of the day and all the way back to Yakima.

We did see the Rustic Bunting at Connie McCouleys home in Leavenworth. My
Mother is not a birder and really doesn't have the foggiest about a rarity
from Eurasia, but I suspect she understands a little more about our
somewhat odd psyches after observing the excitement and comraderie of 10 or
so birders making a huge fuss over a "sparrow in the snowy twigs." At the
very least, she got a reprieve from preoccupation from my Fathers death a
month ago, her husband of 48 years.

I was most impressed by Connie's account of the challenge she faced in
identifying this bird. An admitted "non-expert birder," she apparently
first noted this bird several months ago and was confused, not finding
anything with a perfect match in her field guides. "Finally, while
Christmas shopping in Seattle before Christmas, I came across a book
[Sparrows and Buntings: A Guide to the Sparrows and Buntings of North
America and the World by Byers, Curson and Olsson: Houghton Mifflin 1995]
that led me to Rustic Bunting." Then she called Dan Stephens, Wenatchee
ornithologist, who confirmed the identity of this Asiatic vagrant. I was
very much impressed that Connie perservered and, given the inadequate
rendition in the National Geographic guide (doesn't illustrate this plumage
which is, of course excusable), came up with the correct identification.

I find it equally impressive that Connie has graciously opened up her home
to many birders who huddle scattered about the house, invariably peering
out of windows of the three bathrooms that overlook snow-laden deciduous
trees where the bunting typically perches along with Dark-eyed (Oregon with
at least one Slate-colored) Juncos. I didn't get any indication the
household is finding all this commotion too disruptive.

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA




509-548-5582