Hello Birders,

The adult male BAY-BREASTED WARBLER was again present for day #4 and allowed great views during our visit between 6:30am-9am along FR 1901 in southern Lewis Co(Washington State). The bird was well viewed in spotting scopes,etc as it actively sang from the tops of several different conifer trees along FR 1901 immediately north of the open yellow gate at the intersection of FR 1909. The bird was viewed and heard singing off and on and would disappear and reappear to treetops,where it was observed the best. The bird was quite active away from singing too and was viewed along a fairly limited area on both sides of FR 1901. Soon upon our arrival at 6:30am Mike Marsh of Oregon and us were joined by Eugene Hunn and Cameron Cox,who both had already been there watching and listening to the bird sing,as well as get some recordings of it's relatively high pitched 4-5 syllabed song. The bird at times was not easy to detect singing and was only best heard to us closest to the road or when it was facing the road and singing from a concealed treetop. During our visit the bird did forage below the treeline,but was very elusive during this time. The last birder we ran into during our visit was Bill Shelmerdine,who also enjoyed good scope views of the bird. The exact location is 2.4 miles along FR1900/1901 north of S.R.504. FR 1901 is accessed 3.6 miles east of the intersection of S.R.504/505. Our main reason was not only to see the bird,but to obtain photos if any,but due to the lighting and distance the bird was very tough to photograph. We have placed 2 photos of the Bay-breasted Warbler onto our website,which can be accessed at the following link: http://www.pbase.com/godwit/recent_photos/

It was an exciting to bird to see and a life bird for us both! Several of us wondered how Russ Koppendrayer found this great bird at this relatively remote location,but maybe he was conducting bird surveys for the area. An excellent find for him! We hope many more birders region wide will get to see this rarity as it continues! A few other highlights as we watched the Bay-breasted Warbler included the following species:

1 pair of Western Bluebirds(observed in the first clearing north of the FR 1901/1909 intersection along FR1901.
4 Hutton's Vireos
2 Hermit Warblers

***An added note to birders*** Please be aware of logging truck traffic while watching and searching for the Bay-breasted Warbler,specifically at the prescribed location that at times could be heavy and dusty. During our visit only a few logging trucks passed through as we watched the bird,as well as a few other vehicles. In addition to do not block the road or entrances to gates,etc and allow the right of way to the vehicles that use the road readily.


On our way home we stopped by the Tenino area of Thurston Co.after 11am and easily located the CLAY-COLORED SPARROW .3 miles north of Old Hwy.99 along Melville Street. Melville Street is accessed 5 miles west of I-5 via Old Hwy. 99 west of Tenino. The Clay-colored Sparrow was observed and heard singing from telephone wires,treetops and within stands of Scot's Broom thickets. Other notable species at the location included: 3 Turkey Vultures,1 California Quail,2 House Wrens,and 2-3 Chipping Sparrows among several other more common species.

Good birding,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
Fircrest,WA
godwit513 at msn.com