When I saw a Townsend's Solitaire maybe 2 to 3 weeks ago at McDonald Park
(in Carnation, WA, east King County, under 300' elevation, near the edge of
the Snoqualmie River) I thought it noteworthy to see in the lowlands, but
didn't know if it was particularly noteworthy, especially as it is close to
the base of the Cascades where I would expect them to be seen regularly.
With all of these reports of Townsend's Solitaires I'm not sure whether we
are experiencing an unusual flurry of lowland sightings or whether one or
two reports has spurred on an unusual level of reporting of the usual
scattering of lowland occurrences of Townsend's Solitaires in the spring
(and possibly an unusual level of people keeping an eye out for this species
leading to additional sightings / identifications). In Eugene Hunn's
birding in Seattle and King Co (1982) he says they pass through the lowlands
and foothills in the spring, making me wonder more if it may be a flurry of
additional reporting than an unusual number of lowland occurances of this
bird more typical of montane habitats. Any thoughts from our more seasoned
birders?

Stewart Wechsler
Ecological Consulting
West Seattle
206 932-7225
ecostewart at quidnunc.net

-Advice on the most site-appropriate native plants
and how to enhance habitat for the maximum diversity
of plants and animals
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-----Original Message-----
From: Kelly McAllister


Yesterday, I saw a single Townsend's Solitaire in the South Weir Prairie
(known on USGS maps as Tenalquot Prairie) just north of the town of Rainier
in Thurston County, Washington. ...
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