I would like to correct Colin, its Mike West. I dunno where the Dave came
from....
-Brendan McGarry

Brendan McGarry
Seattle, Wa

----- Original Message -----
From: "Colin Thoreen" <chemical_corps at hotmail.com>
To: <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Monday, November 03, 2003 10:06 PM
Subject: Vesper Sparrow and Cassins Finch Skagit


> 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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