I just received this message from the Refuge Manager and am passing it along. I have a meeting all day tomorrow and won't be chasing it or anything else either until I replace the alternator on my truck too. Wilson Cady
Skamania County, WA


---------- Forwarded Message ----------
From: Jim_Clapp at fws.gov
To: gorgebirds at juno.com, Randy_Hill at fws.gov, randy.fortish at deacon.com, carolkohler98607 at gmail.com
Cc: meyerpdx at easystreet.net
Subject: Fw: Mountain Bluebird at Steigerwald Lake
Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 11:05:23 -0800


Birders -

Have you heard of any other sightings of this bird at Steigerwald recently?

Jim
James R. Clapp, Refuge Manager
Steigerwald Lake, Franz Lake, and Pierce
National Wildlife Refuges
P.O. Box 1136
35302 SE Lewis & Clark Highway
Washougal, Washington 98671
Phone (360) 835-8767
Fax (360) 835-9780
E-mail - jim_clapp at fws.gov

----- Forwarded by Jim Clapp/MOBILE/R1/FWS/DOI on 02/03/2012 11:03 AM -----
"Bill Meyer (business)" <meyerpdx at easystreet.net> 02/03/2012 10:50 AM
ToJim_Clapp at fws.govccBob Fields <bandjfields at comcast.net>, Kahler Martinson <kahlermartinson at yahoo.com>, Harry Nehls <hnehls6 at comcast.net>SubjectMountain Bluebird at Steigerwald Lake



Jim,

About 3 PM yesterday, my wife and I saw a mountain bluebird while
walking along the Columbia River dike about 1/4-mile west of where
Gibbons Creek enters the Columbia. I noticed it is listed as
"accidental" (fall) in Steigerwald's "Watchable Wildlife" brochure.

The bird was sitting on the fence line of the north side of the
trail. It appeared to be feeding, occasionally flying out either to
the ground, but more often in the air to return to the fence. It
occasionally hovered in the air, not unlike a kestrel. The bird had
a white eye ring, was uniformly gray. except for the upper tail and
possibly the rump that were bright blue. There was also some black,
apparently on the resting wing border, perhaps the primaries. In
looking at Sibley, the "gray female adult" was a match.

I'd appreciate knowing if others have also seen it, or you learn of
others seeing it in the near future.

Thanks.

Bill Meyer
retired, FWS