Subject: [Tweeters] Whidbey Bluebird/ Vesper Sp.
Date: May 19 12:42:09 2005
From: Steve Ellis - sellis at coup.wednet.edu


Last evening I received a report of a pair of Western Bluebirds at the
Ausable property just outside of Coupeville. I found the male on the
property near Morris Road and may have just glimpsed the female. Mt
Bluebirds show up on occasion in spring & fall but Westerns have only been
reported a couple of times.
Almost immediately after viewing the bluebird I noticed a largish sparrow
hopping down the path among the grass. It turned out to be a Vesper Sparrow.
It failed to notice me until it was so close I couldn't focus by binocular
on it. Once before I'd glimpsed a sparrow there that I felt was a Vesper.
Other birds noted in the 1/2 hour I was there: Red-tailed Hawk, American
Kestrel (with prey item), White-crowned Sparrow (many), Savannah Sparrow
(ditto), Am. Crow, Rufous Hummingbird, Am. Goldfinch, Pine Siskin.
The property lies along Parker Road at the junction with Hwy 20. Ausable
is an environmental education institution and they welcome birders on their
land. Many of the prairie flowers are still blooming including Death Camas.
Steve Ellis
sellis at coup.wednet.edu