A friend and I made it down to the Kent Ponts early Saturday afternoon.
Since the area is closed in the afternoon, we walked the same trail Ruth
Sullivan mentions and saw the same Say's Phoebe. It was interesting how
we concluded just what it was. Rusty saw it first at some distance and
thought it to be a kestral because of the way it was hovering over a small
grassy mound. I thought it to be a shrike because of the way it was
acting and what appeared to be a mask (it was somewhat backlit the whole
time of our observation). In better light, we agreed there was no mask or
hooked bill--thus no shrike. Flycatcher of some sort then became our
focus. We memorized all the distinctive markings and behaviors that we
could (neither of us brought a fieldguide on the walk), and headed back to
the car (and fieldguides). After a good deal of checking all the
flycatchers, we ruled out everything but Say's Phoebe. A lifer for us
both, and how nice to have it confirmed by Ruth.

Earlier in the day we unsuccessfully tried for the wood stork. Saw lots
of yellow rumps at Totem Lake, and also a peregrine at the Kent Ponds.
Really sorry to have missed the stork--it would have been a lifer for me.
Guess I'll just have to head to Florida!

wes jansen