Subject: [Tweeters] 4/18: Surprised by migrants: vireo, btg warbler
Date: Apr 18 22:25:14 2009
From: Kelly McAllister - mcallisters4 at comcast.net


I heard a Black-throated Gray Warbler at the entrance to Mima Mounds Natural
Area Preserve this morning. While out hiking around the mounds I saw what
was apparently the local female Northern Harrier with a snake, the second
time in two visits that I've seen her with a snake. This time I got to view
the eating of the snake at relatively close range (couldn't tell what kind
of snake it was though).

Quite a few Savannah Sparrows out on the prairie, Ravens, American Kestrel,
Starlings, Western Meadowlark. Couldn't find the Vesper Sparrows though I
tried pretty hard. I tried to walk in on the perpetually hooting Sooty
Grouse but I found myself suddenly on the other side of him and, when I went
back, it seemed I couldn't have gone by him. I spent some time trying to
figure out where he might be but decided he was either quite able to throw
his voice, at will, or he could really scramble from one spot another, in
complete silence... despite noisy brush everywhere. So, I gave up.

Kelly McAllister
Olympia, Washington

----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Hicks" <phicks at accessgrace.org>
To: ", tweeters" <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2009 5:12 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] 4/18: Surprised by migrants: vireo, btg warbler


> Tweets,
> Sat.AM I checked a few spots around Tenino for new arrivals. I found
> several "target" species (which have probably been around a while--I've
> been cooped up lately): Hermit Thrush, Cinnamon Teal, Cliff Swallow,
> Savannah Sparrow. I was surprised, however, to come across a CASSIN'S
> VIREO and BLACK-TH GRAY WARBLER. Around 10am I thought I heard an inkling
> of a single phrase of the vireo in its "usual" spot, and fortunately I
> hung around long enough to hear it 15 minutes later progressively break
> into full song. Meanwhile I detected a distant but unmistakable song
> (local dialect) of a BTG Warbler, followed by an encore heard with ears
> cupped. Both these species are earlier than expected here. Though some of
> Tenino's migrants may "beat" those arriving in the Seattle area because we
> are located to the south, it's a mixed bag because being inland we lose
> the tempering effect of Puget Sound, and consequently see many migrants
> well after they arrive at, say, Nisqually delta or Capitol Lake, where
> spring foliage is also ahead of ours here. Good birding!
> --Paul Hicks / Tenino, s. Thurston Co / phicks AT accessgrace.org
>
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