As the official unofficial keeper of Whidbey bird records I can state this
is the 1st reporting of a Clay-colored Sparrow on the island. As for the
shearwater, others have been reported as "shearwater species" but not
identified %100 to species.
If you're interested in looking for the sparrow, the park in question does
generate a lot of human traffic on weekends during low tide. I'm ashamed to
say I don't know if it's clamming season now or not but if it is, check
the tide tables before coming to Whidbey. Would lots of human interference
drive the sparrow away? I'm trying for it tomorrow and will let everyone
know if it's still there.
Gosh, I was going to report a Townsend's Solitaire just outside of
Coupeville but it seems insignificant to the other species reported!
Steve Ellis
Coupeville, Wa
sellis at coup.wednet.edu