Hi Tweets -
Just wanted to pass along a negative report for the Bobolink in
Bellevue. I was over there this afternoon [in a trip cleverly timed
to catch absolutely every bit of bad traffic both ways] and found
lots of Cedar Waxwings, but no Bobo or even blackbirds.

Hope it resurfaces - keep the reports coming,

Matt Bartels
Seattle , WA

Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2006 18:48:22 +0000
Subject: [Tweeters] Bobolink in Bellevue
X-BeenThere: tweeters at u.washington.edu
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


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