Subject: [Tweeters] Kingbird? Shrike? near Mill Creek
Date: Mar 13 11:21:46 2005
From: ZINGIE at aol.com - ZINGIE at aol.com


Hello Tweets,

I saw an unusual bird (for this area) sitting in the tall grass in the median
on I-5 north near exit 183 (Mill Creek) yesterday. I got a pretty good look
at it because traffic had just started to slow down. It was overall
whitish/gray with black on the wings and a relatively thin, pointed bill. My very first
thought was Eastern Kingbird which seems extremely unlikely. I suppose a
Northern Shrike would be possible but its head and beak didn't seem right and I did
not see a black mask on the face. The head was overall dark. The only other
thing I can think of is a Gray Jay which also seems very unlikely. Have there
been any shrike sightings in the Mill Creek area lately? Any other thoughts?
This photo really looks like the bird I saw:
http://www.mbrpwrc.usgs.gov/id/htmsl/h4440pi.jpg

Simone Lupson-Cook
Seattle/Olympia
Zingie at aol.com