Subject: [Tweeters] Gray Flycatcher & Slate-colored Fox Sparrow at Juanita
Date: May 12 14:52:27 2011
From: Ryan Merrill - rjm284 at gmail.com


As Adam already posted, there is a GRAY FLYCATCHER at Juanita Bay Park
today in a small wet meadow between the two boardwalks. The best spot
to look for it is from the dirt path about 40 meters east of the west
boardwalk. I expect it will remain in the same area throughout the
day and would think this evening would be the best time to look for
it? I initially spotted it just before 8:30 and it stayed there until
I left around 1:30 this afternoon. Great views of the round head,
short primary projection, large bill, mostly orange underside to the
bill and thin eye ring of uniform width. It was also wagging it's
tail in a characteristic manner - quickly lifting it slightly before
lowering it in a deep downward dip, similar to a phoebe. It called a
couple times, emitting a short, sharp whit, and in response to
playback sang several times. I wasn't able to get a recording, but
did get a few pictures which are posted on my Flickr site, along with
a picture of a few of its favored perches.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rjm284/

While waiting for it to reappear this afternoon with Curtis Pearson, a
silent SLATE-COLORED FOX SPARROW briefly hopped out into the open
right in front of us, showing off its solid gray head, black-spotted
breast, and reddish wings.

Quite a few other birds in the park as well, including the following:

Ring-necked Duck - 2
Bufflehead - 12
Osprey - 1
Vaux's Swift - 2
Olive-sided Flycatcher - 1
Western Wood-Pewee - 3
Hammond's Flycatcher - 6
Warbling Vireo - 6
Hermit Thrush - 1
Orange-crowned Warbler - 15
Yellow Warbler - 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 3 Myrtle, 18 Audubon's
Black-throated Gray Warbler - 1
Common Yellowthroat - 1
Wilson's Warbler - 12
Golden-crowned Sparrow - 2
Western Tanager - 1
Black-headed Grosbeak - 3

Good birding,
Ryan Merrill
Kirkland