Hello Tweeters,

I birded the Skagit Game Range from 12:30 to 4 pm today, Monday, Jan. 10. It was a fun day for sparrows (although I didn't see any Fox Sparrows). I did find a SWAMP SPARROW; it was foraging with a flock of about 25 Song Sparrows and a Lincoln's Sparrow. At one point I had both the Swamp and the Lincoln's in my scope at the same time when they hopped onto some bramble. I also observed a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW with a small flock of White-crowned Sparrows. I also saw large numbers of Purple Finch, mainly females or juvenile males. I was not able to find the Rusty Blackbird or any Common Redpolls (sigh).

feel free to e-mail me if anyone wants directions to where I saw the Swamp Sparrow.

Megan Lyden (meganlyden at msn.com)
Bellevue, WA