Sunday my wife and I braved the last day of hunting season for a sunny afternoon walk at the Tualco Wildlife Area, adjacent to the Monroe Honor Farm in Snohomish County. There was still considerable shooting, sometimes at uncomfortable distances, but the season should be essentially over after today.

We saw two flocks of Zonotrichia (White-crowned & Golden-crowned) sparrows, one flock including a nice juvenile Harris' Sparrow which was not at all shy. Park at the north entrance parking area (furthest from the Snohomish River) and follow the gravel access road to where it crosses the marsh into the big plowed field area. Turn right, hugging the outside edge of the big cornfield. In the first row of vegetation in the field which includes little fir trees, look for a smallish tangle of Himalayan Blackberries, not far from your end. The sparrow flock with the Harris' Sparrow was there.

State access stewardship decals are required for this area.

Dave Nunnallee
davidn at nwlink.com
Sammamish, WA