Hi Tweets,

Responding to a tip to the Seattle Audubon office from a resident of the
Alki area in West Seattle I grabbed my binoculars, drove down to 61st Ave SW
and Alki Ave, the intersection with the Alki Bakery. The bird had been
reported in a tree by the old Homestead Resident behind the Alki Bakery on
61st Ave SW. I didn't see the bird there, but walked along Alki Ave to the
intersection of 62nd Ave SW and Alki Ave and found the magpie perched near
the top of a tree with two crows keeping an eye on it. At the intersection I
met Diana Hoven, who had reported the bird, and another neighborhood bird
watcher. I assured them it was indeed a Black-billed Magpie in a pretty
unusual area for the species.

Ms Hoven said the bird had appeared to have some oil on the breast and had
tried to preen it away. I guess the bird had been largely successful,
because I don't think I would have noticed the smudge otherwise. Anyway,
hope some of the twitchers can get a look at this bird.

Paul Webster
West Seattle
paul.webster at comcast.net
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