Hi Tweets,

I viewed the bird while Brian was there but stayed longer. The bird jumped
down to the bird bath affording the three of us remaining unobstructed close
views. I stayed for about another half hour after everyone left and then
the bird returned to the feeder. I took many pictures of the bird. My
initial pictures can be viewed at

http://photos.yahoo.com/rockawaybirder select album birds

Enjoy,

Ilene Samowitz
Cedar Park, NE Seattle (N of Matthews Beach)

----- Original Message -----
From: "B&P Bell" <bellasoc at isomedia.com>
To: <Tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2002 5:37 PM
Subject: Rose-breasted Grosbeak on Beacon Hill


> 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
>
>
>