Hi Tweeters -
Sigh - But I was so much more certain of it before I started looking
at the field guides!:
This morning and this afternoon, I had a bird that I initially
identified as a Common Grackle at the Ryegrass Summit Rest Stop on
I-90 [~mp 125]. However, I've now got some doubts, so I wouldn't make
a special trip for it quite yet -

The bird I saw looked significantly larger than a Brewer's, though
that's what I keep coming back to as the alternative. It had a bright
yellow eye, long tail, and more solid looking bill & legs than those
on Brewer's Blackbirds - But, the body was all black and the head &
upper back were more brownish - definitely not irridescent. I
looking over the field guides, I don't think this color combo is even
an option on a Common Grackle. Anybody know any differently [perhaps
a 1st yr coming into adult plum?]?

Throughout the periods I observed it, it never gave any of those
unique grackle-squacks that would have sealed the deal. Just short
'chucks' that could have been Brewer's call notes too. Another point
against it.

Its behavior struck me as very un-Brewers-like, but then again how
often have I either seen a Brewer's hanging out alone or watched one
for a long time? It mostly sat quietly in the juniper-esque pine
trees, occasionally coming out to fly or walk about, but mostly
staying within the bushes. And when it flew away [see below] it
seemed to skip fields & roadsides and head directly for the rest
stops where there were trees&bushes.

I now doubt my size estimates and wonder if I wasn't fooled by the
lack of comparative species nearby. I never would have expected as
much uncertainty over a bird I saw regularly growing up in Michigan -
sorry!

In any case, the bird was at both the East-bound & the West-bound
rest stops -- In the morning, ~7:30, I watched it for about 5 minutes
at the Eastbound RS, and then it flew off to the north, probably to
the other RS. Around 2:30, I returned to the East-bound RS and
re-located it there. After a while, it again flew off to the north,
and when I drove to the West-bound RS, it was waiting for me after a
little searching of the bushes. Note that the nearest exit to turn
around for 'jumping' between these rest stops is 10+ miles in eaither
direction [Kittitas to the west, Vantage to the east].

I'd appreciate any followup reports here or directly, if anyone finds
themselves in the area.

In other slightly less ambiguous birding news of the day:

Over in Othello, I dipped on the Spruce St. Blue Jay [It was seen by
others today though, and appears to be pretty reliable]. However, I
did quickly find the other Othello Blue Jay down on Sundance Loop
south of town. It was visible from the road, but working in a back
yard when I came by around 10:00AM - since a resident was also using
the backyard, I didn't linger long after getting good looks, so I'm
not sure which direction it may have headed. In any case, it was in
the yards at the far s. end of the loop, between #1026 & 1019.
Directions to Sundance Loop: Head south from Othello on SR 24 about 6
miles. Turn left onto Atkinson. After a few other streets, Sundance
Loop will appear on your right.

Up at Soap Lake in Grant Co, I looked in vain for Plovers [other than
Killdeer] despite realizing once there that I wasn't sure what 'east
beach' means for this Lake- I did come across 15 or so LB Dowitcher,
a bright Pectoral & a Lesser Yellowlegs.

Finally, I finished the day at Ft. Simcoe in Yakima County. The
Lewis' Woodpeckers are there in force now, by the dozens. I watched
them for a good long while until the park closed at dusk. Some other
birds also at the park: Surprisingly large numbers of Spotted
Towhees, a Varied Thrush, a very bright OC Warbler, 40-50
Yellow-rumped Warblers, & large roving covees of California Quail on
the lawn.

A good day, with or without a grackle!

Matt Bartels
Seattle, WA











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