Birders,



Shortly after noon today, I spotted a male MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD hunting insects
from a fenceline just east of Blaine. The bird was located on Pipeline Road,
about 0.4 miles east of Odell Road (which is the eastern town limit of
Blaine). The bluebird moved about somewhat, but stayed in a large field on
the north side of Pipeline Road (there are playing fields on the south
side).



Mountain Bluebirds are pretty unusual in the winter in Whatcom County,
although I've seen a couple previously. One spent the entire winter a few
years ago on Point Roberts near the marina; and going way back, I found one
on Jan. 4, 1971 near Bellingham-- the day after the Christmas Bird Count
that year. Unfortunately, it could not be included on the "count week" list,
because in those days, the "count week" included the entire period during
which CBC could be held (Dec. 18 to Jan. 3), but as the Bellingham CBC was
held on the last possible day, the bluebird was one day too late to be
"counted"!



For those who may be interested, the CATTLE EGRET found by Michael Klotz on
December 2nd just east of 152nd Street and north of the Serpentine River
bridge in Surrey, BC was still there about 1 PM today. It was sitting
quietly in a weed field just 30 metres east of 152nd Street, looking quite
lethargic. I doubt that this bird is finding much to eat (there are no
livestock anywhere nearby), and it will probably expire soon, so if you want
to see it, the sooner the better!



Wayne C. Weber

Delta, BC

contopus at telus.net