Finally got a chance to take a muddy trek around Discovery Park in search of the oddball migrants reported lately.? The (gorgeous) Mountain Bluebird was in the south meadow flycatching from the mahonias and hawthorns at 8:30.? I checked for him again upon returning from the long loop at about 1:00, and believe I witnessed his final exit.? After refinding him along the northern edge of the meadow, I watched him fly to the top of a medium-sized tree, where he whispered a hint of bluebird song, then took off, flying first east, then south.? He quickly rose to about 80-100', and I watched him become a speck, then nothing in my binoculars.?
Down at the shore, the Say's Phoebe was working the driftwood along the south beach, right by the parking lot, oblivious to a raucous busload of students parading along the beach.? LOTS of Bonaparte's Gulls in various plumages flew by the point.? Other signs of spring:? Varied Thrushes singing everywhere, Rufous Hummers working the salmonberry blooms, and a Pileated Woodpecker excavating a nest hole.? Now if the weather would just catch up!