This early morning I birded the south unit of the Scatter Creek Wildlife area. This was my first trip out to the area. I am impressed with the unique habitat that the area provides. Being that I haven't really birded a prairie type habitat yet, I picked up a couple life birds for myself. Here's the highlights:

Western Wood-Pewee - fairly common during my walk
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Hammond's Flycatcher - heard singing
Cassin's Vireo - one singing (life bird)
Warbling Vireo - several singing closer to the creek
Red-eyed Vireo - one singing in the trees right above the creek just north of the barn (FOS)
House Wren - heard then seen near the exit of the parking area (life bird)
Swainson's Thrush - finally heard my first of the season
Western Meadowlark - heard at least two singing, never saw them
Chipping Sparrow - pishing really brought these guys in
Western Tanager - another common bird heard and seen

I looked long and hard through all the Savannah Sparrows that I saw today hoping for a Vesper, but I did not see one. Another one of my target birds that I did not see was a Bullock's Oriole. I was hoping the area near the creek would be a possible spot for them. Has anyone seen them here? I will definitely be going back soon!

In the afternoon, with the good weather the family and I decided to head to Westport to enjoy the beach. We stopped at Grayland first, with the hope of finding the mockingbird. I asked about it at the mini-mart there and got a general direction. So we drove down the road with no luck. I did stop to ask one of the residents who happened to be out in their yard about it and she welcomed us to their backyard to hopefully get a glimpse of the bird. After talking a bit to the couple and not hearing/seeing the mockingbird, we were about to leave when I began to hear the mockingbird. It had landed on top of the neighboring house which allowed us a great look at it. I was surprised to hear that the bird has been in the same area for the past 3 years. Funny, how some of these "rare" birds go unnoticed to us birders for so long. Anyways, it was a life bird for the state and the county! Thanks to everyone for the reports on it!

Good birding,

Tim O'Brien
Elma, WA
mailto: kertim7179 at yahoo.com







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