Tweets,

I enjoyed long, close looks at a cooperative LAPLAND LONGSPUR at the Montlake Fill ca. 1:45 PM today. It was the first bird I saw as I started a brief reconnoiter on my way home from the office. It gave a soft, abbreviated rattle, then landed in a small tree about two feet up and just sat there for a long time. It eventually flew a bit and landed in another tree! I've never known a longspur to do that. I suspected it of being a Smith's Longspur as it was extensively straw yellow on the belly, undertail, flanks, and shoulders with a rather plain face with a neat narrow white eye ring. However, on consulting Sibley I ruled that out as it had distinct rufous greater coverts and broadly rufous margined tertials, long primary extension, and a hint of a dark breast band. In any case, it's an interesting bird that might still be around. It was just east of the trail that heads south from the Wahkiakum Rd. cross fill trail not far from Lot E-5, right where the tree plantings give way to grass.

Gene Hunn
18476 47th Pl. NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
enhunn323 at comcast.net