This morning I found an alternate Plumage male Bobolink near my workplace in
Bellevue (King County). I was really surprised to find this bird here. No
mistaking the identity. Black head, underparts, back, wings and tail,
yellow nape, white scapulars and rump - like a picture straight out of
Sibley.

The bird is loosely associating with a mixed group of blackbirds (red-winged
and a couple of brewers) that move in and out of some stormwater retention
ponds.

The bird is located in the 3100 block of 139th Avenue SE near the Eastgate
Park and Ride and directly across the street from the Expedia Campus. To
reach the general area take I90 East from Seattle or I405. Make the first
exit after I405 and follow the signs to 156th Ave SE. At the end of the
exit you need to cross all 3 lanes to make a left turn onto Eastgate.
Follow Eastgate down the hill to the P&R. Parking is not fun here - the
garages for Expedia are patrolled for non-permit holders and are ticketed.
The best choice is to park at the Eastgate P&R and walk down the hill. The
ponds are on the west side of 139th SE and can not be seen from the stree
and are difficult to see from the sidewalk. The bird moves around a lot,
but I have found him 3 times this morning.

There are also 4 species of swallow here, flyovers by swifts, marsh wrens,
and assorted ducks. We also get a lot of crows and occasional ravens as we
are just above the King County Eastgate refuse dropbox site.


Rob Conway
Newcastle, WA

robin_birder at hotmail.com