This morning at the Fill, I was one of the lucky birders to observe 3 Western Kingbirds. Connie Sidles was already there observing the birds for quite awhile. I also observed 2 Orange crowned Warblers in the willows by the main pond and 3 Lincoln's Sparrows throughout the walk around the Fill.

Now, I am sure folks are still doubting the dickcissel report from last week. But consider this. Around 1130, whilst in a group of 4 birders all looking at the kingbirds, I noticed a bird following a robin. It was too large to be a savannah sparrow. It's breast was whitish; it was stout or stocky and it was heavily streaked on the back. I asked another birder (I won't mention names ;-)) "What's following behind the robin?" We both compared notes after he had it in his view. I did not have a long look at the bird and lost it as we were all so focused on the kingbirds; however, two of the three saw heavy streaking on the back, one saw a whitish breast, two saw rufous on the wing (I wasn't one of the two). And one birder described it as being about 2/3s the size of the Robin and stocky. Hhhmmm, just the right size and body type! I wish I had a tape to play the dickcissel song even being the purist that I am who would never use a tape...oh well, just my musings for the afternoon.

(Maybe, just maybe, someone else will think it worth investigating...)

Happy birding - and musing!

A. Kopitov
Seattle, WA