Having studied the Paridae fairly extensively in the past, I think
the likelihood of this being a wild bird and not an escapee is
extremely close to zero. On the other hand, a Xantus Hummingbird on
Vancouver Island, as we had a year or two back, was almost as
unlikely! However, visualizing just how this essentially
non-migratory species whose range goes nowhere near the Bering Sea
islands would have found its way to Puget Sound seems extremely
difficult. Even so, it would be very cool to see one, wild or not, in
our region, even though it can't be added to the old life list!

Mark



>Yes, the location is Pt. Robinson on Maury Island. Islanders often
>contract the two islands together as just Vashon because they are
>linked by a narrow land bridge.
>
>I just spoke to Steve Mlodinov about it and apparently a Great Tit
>was seen awhile back at a feeder in Normandy Park, about three miles
>across the water to the northeast. Steve will post some more
>information on the bird, it sounds like it's an escapee.
>
>If anyone is still interested in directions, reply to the email and
>I'll send them to you. It is a very attractive bird, apparently as
>Steve says, of the Eurapian race as it had yellow sides and breast.
>
>Ed Swan
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <mailto:godwit at worldnet.att.net>Ruth and/or Patrick Sullivan
>To: <mailto:edswan at centurytel.net>Ed Swan
>Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 1:20 PM
>Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Great Tit at Pt. Robinson, Vashon Island
>
>Hello Ed,
>
>A great bird no mater what the origin! Do you mean Point Robinson on
>Maury Island? We recall a sighting of a Great Tit at Pt. No
>Pt.(Kitsap Co.)a few years ago,but it was never relocated to the
>best of our knowledge.
>
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <mailto:edswan at centurytel.net>Ed Swan
>To: <mailto:tweeters at u.washington.edu>tweeters
>Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 12:52 PM
>Subject: [Tweeters] Great Tit at Pt. Robinson, Vashon Island
>
>At 11:30 this morning a Great Tit was at Pt. Robinson on Vashon
>Island. No doubt as to the identification, a picture perfect bird
>that responded to pishing. It was staying at mid height in alders
>along the meadow by the lighthouse. It tried several times to fly
>out over the water towards Burien but seemed to get blown back by
>the strong breeze.
>
>Is there any chance that this is not an exotic escapee?
>
>Ed Swan
>Vashon Island
>(206) 463-7976
>
>
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