I had a very interesting sighting at Discovery Park today.....

I had eaten lunch on the rocks at the West Point lighthouse and was making my way back to the bluff on the gravel path going east. Three little birds were walking in front of me pecking about in the gravel. They were not at all worried about me. At first I wondered if they were Horned Larks, which I have seen there before....no, these were very pale. The first mark I noted was a long white bar running down the wing. The birds wobbled from side to side as they walked. Every so often they would fly a short ways and land back in the gravel, lots of white feathers showed as they flew. I followed them and saw some gorgeous details, very light brownish beak, and when one of them turned to look at me a very faint little brown mask from eye to eye and a faint brown spot on their cheeks! Their breast was very white.

Not being familiar with any of these Buntings I ran home thinking I had seen a Lapland Longspur....one of my nemesis birds. My Sibley clearly shows that I saw Snow Buntings!!! That is certainly one for my Life List.

The best way to see if I am right is to go immediately to Discovery Park and see if they are still there!!!

-Mark Vernon
Renton, WA


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