A few folks have asked for more details regarding the dickcissel. So I thought I would post on Tweeters.

Location: First spotted in front of 3 boulders across from main pond on a bramble about 1 foot off ground. I first spotted it with my binoculars it was singing it's diagnostic song before it dropped to the ground and started foraging.

I observed the dickcissel foraging in the short grass along the edge of the bunchgrass before it flew up into the willow about 10 ft above ground and then it dropped down into the tall bunchgrass at which point I lost it. The colors were brightly contrasting and really stood out.

My field scribbles:

bright yellow stripe over eyes/stripe edged with white
white throat
pale breast (appeared bright white in the sun) with pale striping at edges
grayish belly
black braces or streaking on back alternating with pale beige
shortish tail, stocky overall
bill longish and pointed but not thin, stouter, pink?
larger than nearby golden crowned sparrow, smaller than robin
song much different than nearby singing savannahs

I did not see a chestnut shoulder patch nor did I see a black bib.
I did not note the leg color but I think the legs were greyish.

I've observed the species in CA (Andrew Molera SP) and knew instanly that is was a dickcissel. Unfortunately, never observed it in breeding plumage.

Hope someone finds it; it was a beauty!

Cheers,
Anna Kopitov
Seattle, WA