A Purple Martin was heard by Steve Caldwell, our local Audubon chapter's
Birding By Ear instructor, yesterday at Tramp Harbor on Vashon Island. That's
about two weeks earlier than other recorded dates we have. We have also had
reports over the weekend of a Western Tanager, Warbling Vireo and Pacific-slope
Flycatcher, all from Master Birders and all several weeks early for Vashon.

Dan Willsie, who lives on the NW corner of the island (and had the PS
Flycatcher), has noted the shorebird migration beginning to pick up with
several flocks of Sanderling over the last couple of days: 55 Sunday evening,
a small flock Monday morning and 136 Monday evening joined by 6 Dunlin. Flocks
of more than a 100 Sanderling are unusual for Vashon as well as Dunlin in any
numbers.

Ed Swan
Vashon Island
(206) 463-7976