Tweeters,

The SAGE THRASHER on the Lummi Indian Reservation west of Bellingham
was seen again today-- but not by me (phooey!). Jim Duemmel of
Bellingham saw the bird about 10 AM, foraging on the road next to the
gravel pile where it was seen yesterday. This gravel pile is located
near the intersection of Kwina and Hillaire Roads, as reported
yesterday by Houston Flores. To reach the gravel pile from this
intersection (shown clearly in the DeLorme atlas) proceed west on the
extension of Kwina Road that leads toward the shore of Lummi Bay and
the Lummi aquaculture dike. About 0.2 miles (estimate) down this road,
a short spur road to the right ends at the obvious gravel pile. As
noted by Houston, if you plan to go birding here, make sure to obtain
a permit to access tribal lands from the Lummi Tribal Office, located
on Kwina Road east of Haxton Way. I was issued a permit this morning
with very little hassle.

Jim Duemmel notes that there is one previous record of SAGE THRASHER
for Whatcom County, a bird seen in almost the exact same location on
April 20, 1996. Amazing!!

I arrived at the site about 11 AM, and unfortunately missed both Jim
and the thrasher, despite whacking around the area for about 90
minutes. However, I got a couple of "consolation prize" birds. In
shrubbery very close to the gravel pile were two cooperative AMERICAN
TREE SPARROWS, associating with Song Sparrows, Towhees, and
White-crowns. I got close views of the Tree Sparrows several times.
Even better, about a mile out on the aquaculture dike, I had very
close views of a single GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCH (Hepburn's race). The
bird was hopping on the gravel roadway less than 10 feet from my car
for at least 5-6 minutes. No Snow Buntings or longspurs, but a ROSY
FINCH is an even better bird at this location.

With luck, maybe the thrasher will stay put for awhile so that other
birders (including me!) will have a chance to see it.

Good luck and good birding,

Wayne C. Weber
Delta, BC
contopus at telus.net