Greetings All,

I heard at least three Mt Quail in the area of A-2300 road, today (10/23)
north of Elma, also as noted by Tim O'Brien (10/20), location described in
Tweeters & his fine WA Birder article (Fall 2004, Vol 12, No. 3).
If you go to this area, it is good idea (IMHO) to wear some orange
clothing; hunters were many today.

The great weather (calm, cool, beautiful sunrise; recalling 'red in the
morning, sailor / birder take warning) encouraged me to go west some more,
to Keith Brady's Olympia neighborhood (as described by Gary Wiles, 10/21)
in search of a Thurston co Mt Chickadee. My quest lasted almost an hour
and a half. Finally after more than an hour of patient prowling the three
blocks or so on Jackson and B--h Aves., I was talking to one of the
neighbors on that street, who has some of the feeders these chickadees are
working over (many chks with black sunflower seeds in beaks; the subtle
sign of non-native plant availability in the area). Even tho I did not see
the Mt Chk at her feeders, talking with this helpful neighbor apparently
broke the jinx: the sub-squadron of Black-capped Chickadees all streamed
past me, (many Ch-backed Chks also in this general area) including the Mt
Chickadee I had been hearing from time to time, afforded brief conclusive
looks, and I left for Capitol Lake. Public parking and restroom available
at nearby Sunrise Park, intersection of B--h & Bing Avenues.

I headed E on Harrison Ave. This main street heads straight E., downhill;
take the 5th Ave bridge at the traffic circle, and park at Simmons street
lot, north end of Capitol Lake. My luck did not hold regarding grebes: I
saw none of any type of Aechmophorus grebes. I headed for the Blue Heron
Bakery and westward home.

Sure enough, the warning presented at sunrise was followed (especially once
I returned to Pacific county) by strong rain, and even hail. Good weather
for sitting at home and updating my bird notes and reading some bird
books. There's probably something else I could be doing - - I'm sure it
will come to me later on.

Regards,
Alan Richards / Naselle WA 98638 / USA