Tweets,
I thought I was finished posting regarding a "reddish" Fox Sparrow near
Tenino. But I'm overtaken with enthusiasm after killer views yesterday. At
9:30 some sunlight began filtering through the lifting fog and the sparrows
were feeding like their lives depended on it. We were all but ignored,
including our pishing. The first bird we spotted (or paid attention to) was
"The Fox" (it stands out that much), who posed cooperatively for at least 15
minutes. Definitely different from "sooty": more white than brown "by
volume" beneath, including a long, bold malar stripe terminating in a
prominent, bill-sized whitish spot below-and-behind the eye. Instead of a
monotone hood and cape, the head is brown (with reddish tints) and gray with
(again) comparatively more white in the face and throat; the back is clearly
dull gray with reddish-brown squiggly streaks. The brown coloration is all
on the reddish/warm side. The tail, rump, and wings show generous amounts of
fairly bright rusty-brown. Location: East of Tenino on Hwy 507; north on
Mull/Churchill; north of the bridge. Check behind the ash trees northward as
far as the perpendicular fence line. Monday's location was just north of the
ash trees, behind the "no hunting" sign. I'm sure it's hit-and-miss, but in
the mornings I've seen it at least 3 of the 4 times I've checked starting
Oct 9.
Good birding!
--Paul Hicks
Tenino, s. Thurston Co
phicks AT accessgrace.org