July 2, 2002

Rick Hudson and I checked on the location specified
on Tweeters earlier (see below), Pacific county, WA.
We could not find an Eastern Phoebe during our period
of observation, 1200 to 1230 hrs, today.

However, we did see and hear an Olive-sided Flycatcher,
with field marks observed as follows:


voice --
-- emphatic, clear, repeated 'pep-pep' call;
-- usually two syllables, occasionally three;
-- emphasis equal, each syllable;
-- syllables distinct, not rolled or slurred together;
-- the three-noted 'quick-three-beers' call not heard;

habits -
-- perched on tops of trees in area, generally tall conifers,
while calling;
-- perched only once, briefly, on top of alder;
-- no tail bobbing;
-- upright stance, nearly vertical;
-- flew out for insects, with short rapid wingstrokes,
generally not gliding;

description -
-- clear white central breast and belly, no yellow or yellowish;
-- grayish heavily streaked 'vest' effect on sides of breast,
belly, over entire length of body;
-- dark head, back;
-- throat white, contrasting with cap, 'vest'
-- tail black, stout, moderately forked, no outer white rectrices;
-- white rump, visible especially in flight;
-- dark beak stout, lower mandible showed some yellow in full sun;
-- body stocky overall;
-- wingbars not especially contrasting.

There may be an Eastern Phoebe present, however, we do not
believe that we observed it. The bird we saw was available to hear
continually for the first 20 minutes, then seemed absent for
about 5 minutes, then returned for the final five minutes of
our half hour there. We checked our observations during the
latter part of this time, and after, with the Audubon Master
Guide, National Geo, and Sibley Guide. Observation conditions
ideal, with full sun from our backs, warming us delightfully.

Respectfully,

Alan Richards / Naselle WA 98638 / USA
Rick Hudson / Seattle WA 98115 / USA


--- (Earlier message from Tweeters follows) ---------------------

Date: Mon, 01 Jul 2002 18:30:06 -0700
From: Mike Patterson <celata at pacifier.com>
To: tweeters <tweeters at u.washington.edu>, OBOL2 <obol at lists.orst.edu>
Subject: Possible Eastern Phoebe at North Head Lighthouse
Message-ID: <3D21020D.E453AAC8 at pacifier.com>

Al Murray called to report an EASTERN PHOEBE seen at a snag
visible looking south from the parking lot at the North Head
Lighthouse, Ilwaco, Pacific County, WA. He saw it between
1600-1630hr describes a bird fitting the field mark well and
heard the bird calling "feer-a-dip".

I am going to put Michelle in the car and go check this
out.

--
Mike Patterson
Astoria, OR
celata at pacifier.com
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