Hello Tweets,

My mother and I observed the ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK(most closely resembling
the winter adult male or nonbreeding male in the National Geographic"Field
Guide to Birds of North America")at the Slade residence, as well as other
nearby areas within sight of the residence, within a few minutes of arriving
to the location at 2:50pm along with 2 other local birders. The bird was
observed roosting in the Camellia bush in the southwest corner of the yard,
then flew to the birdbath to take 5 drinks then it flew off to the Western
Red Cedar tree in the center of the front yard where it remained for about 1
hour,until it was seen flying over the residence to the west into other
yards,where the bird foraged on buds from several different tree
species,including a Weeping Willow. The bird also spent considerable time
roosting in nearby trees,when it was not present. The bird remained in this
area for almost 30-40 minutes(west of the Slade residence)then flew back to
the original location,where the bird was seen foraging in several of the
trees in the front yard,as well as made at least two brief visits to the
feeders and was last seen at 5:25pm. There were about 14 total observers on
sight including local residents, but a few birders/observers did not see the
bird. We remained on sight until 6:30pm,but the bird had not shown and may
have been settling for night. My mother was able to get 21 total photographs
of the bird, with 8 from the birdbath at fairly close range. During our
visit we also noted an immature Peregrine Falcon flying from Downtown
Seattle heading east over Beacon Hill,as well as many other more common
species including a flyby hummingbird species that a few observers were able
to see,but not identify.


Good birding,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
GODWIT at worldnet.att.net