Hi Tweets,

I can sure relate to Ryan Shaw's comment about still being soaked to
the bone. All of what I thought was great rain gear failed this
morning. Water was in all my pockets and soaked through the rain pants
and long underwear. Fortunately my Hunter rubber boots stayed dry. But
I'm still cold. That said, I wouldn't have traded the chase this
morning for anything. The bunting is a beautiful little bird. It was
amazing to me that after it first flew over my head and further out
Damon Point, that it took five of us working various grids an hour and
ten minutes to relocate it. It was worth it though because Matt
Bartels missed the first flight and I think we all wanted to be sure
he saw the bird, too. Thanks to Diane Weinstein for raising the
questions about it being a McKay's last weekend and to Jeff Bryant for
posting his search yesterday. The photo from the Ocean Shores
photographer that Dianna Moore provided the link to compelled me to
try for it today, come rain or high water. Charlie Wright and I both
have lots of mediocre photos (at least mine are). Today's weather
would simply not have allowed the quality of the photo from last
Sunday. I would point out that this bird is not a county first for
Grays Harbor County. Of the three previous records listed in Birds of
Washington, there were McKay's Buntings at Ocean Shores from December
16, 1978, to March 5, 1979, and also there in January and February
1988. It has just taken a long time for this species to return to
Ocean Shores, or to be found there.

On the way home I drove the Brady Loop because the rain had stopped at
that location. There were about 400 Cackling Geese on the west end of
the loop, most or all being Taverner's. Ducks included Gadwall,
Mallard, Northern Pintail, and Northern Shoveler. Lots of Robins and
some Golden-crowned Sparrows were about. One adult Bald Eagle was just
above the nest in the nest tree south of the loop. I also saw two
kestrels.

Now to warm up,

Carol Riddell