I returned around 2:30, and the Kestrel was back on the telephone pole along
the private way described by Steve Mlodinow on the BirdBox (and previously
posted on Tweeters by Hal Opperman). When I left around 2:40, it was hunting
over the field just south of that private way, mostly hovering. Great looks,
but too far for photos.

The bird is very distinctly different from an American Kestrel, though it is
still definitely kestrel-like. It is worth going to see on its own merits,
beyond simply its rarity. It's a nice looking bird!

The man who has a sculpture studio just north of the private way is very
friendly, and he said he first noticed the Kestrel 3 days ago -- he thought it
must be a merlin (the closest match in his field guide).

By the way, my incredible good luck continues. I had given up on the Kestrel
being near where it had been seen Sunday, and I was heading southwest to
search. I stopped at the West 90 and Scott Downes and Jason Starfire showed up
briefly. We were just about to depart, going our separate ways, when Jason's
cell phone rang. It was Steve Mlodinow with the news that he had spotted the
bird. Had he called even a minute later, I would have been on my way South.
Being Lucky (me) seems to be nearly as useful as being Good (Steve Mlodinow).

== Michael Hobbs
== Kirkland WA
== hummer at isomedia.com

----- Original Message -----
From: S. Downes <sdownes at u.washington.edu>
To: tweeters <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 1999 1:42 PM
Subject: Re: Eurasian Kestrel relocated


> Tweets,
> The Kestrel was last seen diving into a canal about 300 yards east of the
> house on the south side of the gravel road. This was at 11:45 AM. The bird
> appears to sit on the ground quite a bit so a through search of the field
> on the east side of the dairy barn
> may produce the bird. Good luck to those looking for it, hope it sticks
> around a while. Also, if somebody is able to get really nice photos that
> would be helpful as the photos this morning were identifiable to species
> but closer photos would be nice.
>
> Scott Downes