It would appear that two male Laz Buntings beat one male Painted Bunting. It was 100 degrees and windy this afternoon . I walked the road along Siwash Creek from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. It was quite birdy but no Painted Bunting. The two Laz boys sang continuously and kept moving from side to side of the road, from tree tops to utility lines. It looks like a concerted effort to drive the foreigner away. It seems to have worked. I would not recommend a trip to Tonasket just for the Painted Bunting at this point. It might return, but . . .

Carol Riddell
Edmonds