Hi Tweets -

The Rose-breasted Grosbeak on Beacon Hill (4922 28th Ave. S) was
observed from 1440 to 1530 this afternoon, at which point I had to
leave. The bird was first seen at the hanging cylindrical feeder to the
left of the Cedar tree. It fed for about two minutes, flew up into the
Cedar and then flew across the yard into a Camelia bush where it stayed.
This is a most attractive bird, looks like it is a winter (non-breeding)
plumage male just coming into breeding plumage. Nice darkish head with
some fleckings or buffy edgings, grayish-brown face and throat, blackish
collar with some light flecks. Rosy upper breast, clear white lower
breast, belly and flanks with sharp, distinct black spots. Back is dark
with dark buffy edges to the feathers. The wings are black with some
slight buffy edges, big white wing bars. The upper tail is black with
slight whitish edges, and the underside of the tail is white with black
edges. The bill is a large, grosbeak bill, horn colored.

The bird has been around for a few days, and visits the feeder about
every two hours, but based on this mornings observations and this
afternoons you need to examine most of the vegetation to see if it is
hanging out.

The owners have requested that we not come into the yard and onto the
grass, but it is apparently acceptable to come slightly onto some paving
stones leading in from the sidewalk (maybe 4 stones or so).

Great bird!

Brian H. Bell
Woodinville WA
bellasoc at isomedia.com