Shelley Keys not only described what must be a Verdin in Tillicum,
Washington, today but sent Carolyn Eagan a photo of it. I've seen the
photo, and that's certainly what it is. She says it's all right for
people to look for the bird near her house. She lives across from
Tillicum Elementary, right at the school crosswalk, on Maple Street
right off of Union. Her dogs are pit bulls and may be out in the
yard, so I don't think you want to go in her yard (and you shouldn't
go in any yard, for that matter; please stay on the street and
explain what you are doing if anyone looks curious), but the Verdin
could be anywhere. She hasn't seen it again after its first visit to
her feeder.

This quite sedentary species of desert habitats is otherwise not
known to have occurred north of southern Nevada, so it's a cosmic
occurrence. The identity is not in doubt, but the origin will
certainly be discussed by the Washington Bird Records Committee when
it comes time to assess the record. How such a tiny, nonmigratory
bird of open country could have made it all the way to Washington is
a mystery at this point.

Anyone who has never seen a Verdin would certainly enjoy the
experience, even if we can't be entirely sure of its origin.

Good luck if you try!
-----
Dennis Paulson
1724 NE 98 St.
Seattle, WA 98115
206-528-1382
dennispaulson at comcast.net

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