Tweets,
I went out to Swans Slough Rd this morning after hearing Chris Hill's
report on the Birdbox and found two male Mountain Bluebirds, they were
right next to the road and very easy to spot. Also in the area were a few
Meadowlarks and lots of VG and Tree swallows.
At Spencer Island I decided to walk the entire loop, which I hadn't done
in a while. Notable were SONG SPARROWS GALORE! On the east side of the
Island where the trail traverses through Blk. berries I was counting 10-15
every 50 feet, and they were flying off to the sides so I was sure I was
not double counting. I estimated 2000+ which is pretty accurate, but might
be a little under the actual. Despite the gloomy weather songbirds were
very abundant period, one grove of trees had 25-30 Yellow-rumps, which
there was one Orange-crown in among these. On the very north part of the
island there was one male Common yellowthroat, singing. Seems a little bit
early so I checked my records, of my first yellowthroats, my earliest is
March 11th and average is March 24th so a bit early by my records though
not setting any records. Here there were LOTS of Tree Swallows, estimated
400-500 and a few VG's mixed in. Near the NE corner of the island I
noticed a very large accipter sitting, was not much different in size from
a redtail that was sitting in the area, it was at least as big, looked
larger the the buteo to me. I was able to identify it as an
immature and by size and flight shape when it took off accross the channel
to the east I identified it as a Goshawk, probably a female though not
positive on the sex. One thing that helped me in identifying the bird as I
have noticed in the other Gos' that I have seen in flight is that it looks
like a cross between a buteo and an accipter. By that I mean that it has
the general shape of an accipter but its much bulkier in body, tail is
long but not the skinny long tail of a sharpie or coop's and the wings
look more stout. In short when I see a sharpie or coop's in flight, my
question is which one as I know immediately its an accipter, a Gos' on the
other hand makes my first question be: geez, thats a strange looking hawk,
is that an accipter? The bird flew out of sight so I don't know were it
landed except not on Spencer Island.

Scott Downes
sdownes at u.washington.edu
Seattle WA

"Birds don't read bird books. (That's why they are seen doing things they
are not supposed to do)." -Mary Wood