Subject: Vesper Sparrow and Cassins Finch Skagit
Date: Nov 3 22:06:56 2003
From: Colin Thoreen - chemical_corps at hotmail.com


Greetings
As I have received requests to post further details on the male Cassins
Finch and Vesper Sparrow seen on November 2 at about 9:00am and 9:45am
during the Seattle Audubon trip, which I lead, Here you go:

Cassins Finch: 9:00am Skagit Game HQ
If you park in the lot on the right (not boat ramp lot) and walk out on to
the trail for about 150 meters on the right a grassy area and a small
opening to look out to the west. Both this week and last week there were
cedar waxwings here, (two weekends ago I had a N. Shrike with Brian Bell).
To the left of this opening is a semi-bare tree which held numerous purple
finches. Numerous group members viewed the large bright red bird cresting
unobstructed by by branches and any other junk for about 45 seconds before
it flew to the back of the bush. We were about 30 feet from the bird with
perfect light conditions.The Cassins finch was obviously bigger than the
purple finches nearby and had a but more outstanding bright red plumage
however the red did not continue on to the flanks as does the purple
finch's. The browner back was obvious and as Cassins Finch have been known
to do this cassins finch raised it's crest/crown. A few name that will back
up this identification is Dave West and Brendan McGarry whom both also had
great looks at this raritie.

Vesper Sparrow: 9:45 just between Fir Island and and Maupin Road.
This bird was first spotted by Dave West (car three in our caravan) at the
last house before you reach the end of the road to Fir Island. ON the west
side of the property this is a wooden garage with a pile of dirt in front of
it and in front of the dirt pile between the road is some ruff (bare
branches, long grass, etc.) The sparrow was first seen on top of the pile of
dirt notice primarily because of it heavily pattern body. The bird stayed
for few seconds before it flew into the ruff, when the bird flew the white
outer tail feathers were noted. Within another 15 seconds this bird popped
up on one of the bare branches with 15 meters of our cars on its own will.
The group of able to observe this bird and make not of the creamy yellowish
flanks and white eye ring. The entire group agreed on this bird without
objection. Some other references: Joyce Meyers, the Wests, and Brendan
McGarry.

References are listed only to establish creditability please do not bother
them with questions.

Thank you any further inquires you might have direct them to
teenbirder at hotmail.com or by phone 206-523-5827.

Colin Thoreen

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