Hi Tweets

Late yesterday afternoon Bob Schmidt called me about a possible Harris's Sparrow that he had seen in the North Creek area of Bothell. I went out and joined him just before 4 PM and the bird was briefly in sight, and is definitely a Harris'. It looks like a 1st year bird- bright white breast and throat, darkish markings along edge of throat and down to a central breast spot, facial pattern, somewhat scattered darkish markings on top of crown, and back quite a bit lighter than the Zonotrichia flock it is hanging out with (both Golden-crowned and White-crowned). The bird was still there this morning at 8:20.

The bird is hanging out in the wetland area behind the Northshore School District Administrative Headquarters at 3330 MonteVilla Parkway in Bothell. Easiest way to get to it is to go to Bothell on I-405 and take exit 24, NE 195th St to the east. At 120th Ave NE turn left and go north to Monte Villa Parkway (242 St. SE) and turn left. At the end of the street will be 3330, turn left into the parking lot (at least this morning you could drive to the end of the parking lot and park). There is a small path down to the end of the dike running along the south side of the wetland. About 40 yards east is a faded pink ribbon hanging in a tree with a suet feeder near it. The sparrow flock has been coming into the grassy/weedy slope of the dike closest to the wetland. The Harris' is very distinctive because of it's bright white breast, but is is very spooky and flushes at the slightest movement. A ways further east along the dike is another feeder. The flock seems to forage in the vicinity of both feeders.

The one possible drawback to finding the bird is that the dike is used by walkers and the sparrows all flush whenever a walker comes by, and are somewhat reluctant to return but eventually do come back.

Happy searching,

Brian H. Bell
Birding & Natural History Guide
Woodinville Wa
mail to bell asoc at iso media dot com