Thanks to Brian Bell's post I was able to locate the juvenile Harris's Sparrow in Bothell this morning. I arrived shortly after 10 AM and although there were lots of sparrows feeding at the feeder no Harris's. I was joined by other birders and eventually the bird was spotted near the first feeder. Patience is the key to getting good looks at it. Most of the views were deep in the brambles but it eventually perched out in the open giving great looks.



Brian's Directions:
The bird is hanging out in the wetland area behind the Northshore School District Administrative Headquarters at 3330 Monte Villa 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.


Linda Phillips
Kenmore WA