Dear Tweeters,

Thanks so much to all who responded to my query re: birding the Olympic
Peninsula. We just returned from a terrific trip (108 species, 34 lifers -
most during our day at sea). There were a couple of sightings that puzzled
me, however.

At Hurricane Ridge (picnic area 1), we saw a juvie western bluebird, then a
female; then we saw what was obviously a bluebird, but it was all-blue --
neither MariaAna nor I could see any orangey or russety coloration on that
bird at all. So: do mountain bluebirds ever hang out (or hybridize) with
westerns? Neither of us has (had) ever seen a mountain bluebird.

Secondly, near Sequim (at the Three Crabs Restaurant mudflats), I saw what
looked for all the world like an emperor goose, in amongst some Canadas. It
certainly wasn't a regular Canada -- too much white on the face. Is it
possible that this bird would be there at this time of year? There was a
black swan nearby, so I wouldn't be surprised if the emperor (if that's what
it was) was an escapee. I should say I've never seen an emperor goose
before, either -- the "ID" is strictly based on Sibley's.

Anyway, any ideas on either of these would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
again for all your help!

best,
Joe Harrington
jharrington at ku.edu
Kansas City, MO