Hi Tweets

Just got this in from a friend who is an excellent birder and Senior
Flyway Biologist with Ducks Unlimited.

Brian H. Bell
Woodinville WA
bellasoc at isomedia.com


>From Andrew Engilis (Ducks Unlimited, Sacramento Ca):

I had a really good bird in West Richland on July 19, 1999 (9:00am). I
had a male Indigo Bunting, singing no less. I looked at my books and
could not find a sight record for Washington, but know there must be
one. Nonetheless, I think this is probably a real find for some WA
birders. Can you pass this along to rare bird alert for me?

Here are the details. Male Indigo Bunting, singing. Size of Lazuli
Bunting. Entire body, head,. back, wings and tail deep blue. Bill,
small conical, acute, silvery in contrast to body. Iris dark. The bird

sang clipped, paired notes, shorter song than Lazuli with less
variability in end of song. Lazuli's are present and common in this
area (Barker Ranch). Heard lazuli and indigo singing back and forth to
one another for over ten minutes. Other observer was Dan Golner.

Directions: In Tricities area, take HWY 240 west out of Richland to
Grosscup Road (about 3 miles). Turn right on Grosscup Road until its
junction with Snively Road (about 2 miles). Turn right onto Snively
Road and drive slowly till you reach a jog in the road (about 1/2
mile). Search the area near the jog on both sides. I saw the male,
singing from Powerline a little south of jog.