Hi Tweeters -

Yesterday, I ventured again to Mason County, beginning on the Tahuya
Peninsula west & south of Belfair. I found MOUNTAIN QUAIL at 2 spots
- first, along the road in to Wood Lake [off Tahuya Rd.], then along
the Blacksmith-Tahuya Rd. This second spot has proven good for me
both last year and this year. At the crest of the hill, just a short
distance from the south end of this road, there is a trail to the
west into a clearcut area. Yesterday, when I arrived, Mountain Quail
were vocalizing loudly and came right in to my iPod. Also at Wood
Lake , I had Willow & Pacific-slope Flycatchers, MacGillivrays,
Wilson's & Black-throated Gray Warblers, and Western Tanagers.
Unfortunately, I didn't stick around long enough to see the return of
the Common Nighthawks that Idie Ulsh reported yesterday.

At the airport outside Shelton, a VESPER'S SPARROW was singing away
along the fenceline. Presumably the same bird was present on May 2
when I last visited. Also on the tarmac were a few HORNED LARKS.

Driving up FR 23 [off the Skokomish Valley Rd], I was happy to
relocate HOUSE WREN, probably where Marv & Ken had them last weekend.
The easiest access to where I had several singing would be to look
for a gated road a little over one mile up FR23 [just after the 1
mile of bad road]. Walk in on this closed road for about 20 minutes
-- the HOWR were singing on the right, in the clearcut area. An
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was also present. Back up on the main road, a
HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER & CASSIN'S VIREO were also singing away.

Last sightings, in the non-countable category I suppose: 2 MUTE SWANS
were in the northern-most part of the North Bay - the first part of
the bay you can see as you come south on 3 from Belfair.

Good birding,


Matt Bartels,
Seattle, WA