In hopes of getting a quality picture of the yellow breasted chat
reported in So. Everett, I folowed the excellent directions from Rick
Taylor below. I got there around 2:40 and stopped at the spot mentioned
just where the path turns to the right...and no luck. Tried some audio
assistance and still no luck. Nothing heard and nothing seen - or at
least no chat. But the spot was very birdy. Orange crowned warblers,
house finch, song sparrow, cedar waxwings, barn, tree and violet green
swallows, spotted towhee, wood pewee and one empidonax, lots of
goldfinches, crow, black capped chickadee, robin, flicker,, house
sparrow, Bewick's wren and MANY hummingbirds including both Anna's and
rufous with a very assertive male rufous taking on every Anna's around.
There were also some unidentified (I am terrible) songs that I am sure
were other birds not seen...but no chat...until I went all the way
around the curve of the path heading back towards the parking lot and
with no audio assistance (or forewarning) the chat flew directly into a
tree next to me and flitted around for several minutes. A few lousy
pictures (my poor focusing reflexes) but still a very lovely bird and a
good birding experience. Have to say that the directions given were
terrific and right on. Thanks.