How's that for an exciting subject? Well I fooled you because it's really
just a "partial albino Red-Winged Blackbird" as noted on the Slater Museum
with shots taken by Ruth Sullivan seen here:
http://www.ups.edu/biology/museum/albinoRWBL.jpg

This morning there was frost everywhere in my NE Olympia neighborhood and I
rushed downstairs to throw out some seed for those hungry devils. As I was
scattering the millet I heard R/Wingeds calling in the distance, which is
somewhat notable in the area. Well as the feeding frenzy reached its peak I
noticed that the R/Wingeds had descended (a first for my yard) on the tube
feeder but one looked like a bizarre giant S. Towhee more than R/W! I knew
it had to be that local bird from East Bay that was photographed a while ago
(2000 according to the website). He had some fabulous colors and streaking
below. I didn't get prolonged looks at it, but it seems to follow the same
pattern of Ruth's photographed bird and also those of the other random
Tweeters posters throughout the years with the white outer tail (though mine
seemed more limited), white rump and undertail coverts, white belly with
black streaking along the sides. If it comes back I'll try to see if it
matches Ruth's photo. Neat bird. Too bad I still haven't gotten new
batteries for my digital camera or I would have got a shot off. When will
that paycheck arrive?

Decent birding in the yard with a RED-TAIL being mobbed by crows in a
neighbor's Douglas Fir. Also both species of local Oly JAYS and a couple of
FLICKERS (both Red-shafted). Also as many as 5 GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS,
waiting for another White-throated this year...or Harris'?

Good birding,

Jason Paulios
Jpaulios at earthlink.net
Olympia, WA