Subject: [Tweeters] re: Great Backyard bird count-review of records
Date: Feb 20 08:27:39 2006
From: Scott Downes - downess at charter.net


Rob and tweeters,
I was scanning the records submitted so far and a few popped up that at
least are questionable that I didn't see listed in your message. These
include:
2 Vesper Sparrow near Maple Valley, very early and as far as I know not a
known Vesper Sparrow area.
1 Clark's Nutcracker on Camano Island, possible, but certainly unusual and
very noteworthy if its one
Several reports of Cassin's Finch in the Western Washington Lowlands, a
possible species in Western Washington but easily confused with other
Carpodacus finches and still unusual in Western Washington. I believe there
were 6 reported for kenmore and 2 reported for stanwood plus 1 in issaquah.
Rufous Hummingbirds, 12 reported and as far north as Point Roberts, while
these are possible seems fairly early to have a dozen rufous hummers in
western washington by the 20th of feb.
21 Blue Jay reported so far including 7 birds at both Tacoma and Lake
Stevens, highly unusual for Western Washington, around Spokane and Pullman
would believe this much more.
American tree sparrow, many birds in Western Washington including 1 report
of 10 at tacoma, possible but unusual enough to warrant details.
Just a few notes to look out for among possible misidentification.
As for Turkeys they have become extremely abundant in certain areas of
eastern washington with areas like the teanaway near Cle Elum having well
over 100 birds easily seen usually.
Off to Vantage for the day to see if Sage Sparrows and Bluebirds are back.

Scott Downes
downess at charter.net
Yakima WA