It was interesting to see the responses on
Tweeters and offline about whether the"Black
Phoebe?" experience I described at the Hawk's
Prairie Ponds was a "countable" bird. I did not
count it because it simply was not seen or heard
"well enough". For life or State birds, I count
only what I see and not hear only and have tried
to use the same standards for my State List this
year -trying also to photograph them all as well.
Well today FINALLY I can count the Black Phoebe
without reservation although it almost did not
come to pass. I tried for 2+ hours without any
luck (none see, none heard) and was about to give
up when I saw a Black Headed Grosbeak land in
shrubs next to one of the ponds. I followed it as
it flew from bush to bush and when it finally
stayed put, I got a decent photo. Then almost
magically the Black Phoebe flew into a nearby bush
right over the water (the algae filled pond). It
stayed only for a few seconds, good enough for two
good pictures and then disappeared as quickly as
it had arrived. It never sang or called or made
any noise and it did not respond to any
recording. The sight lines were such that I would
never have seen it had I not trekked in a bit to
see the Grosbeak. So the Phoebe(s) is still
there, maybe in a quiet state and for all I know,
I could have walked past it many times as I
circumnavigated the ponds at least three full
times. Perseverance or good luck? Who knows and
I don't care. Both a bird to "count" and also one
to enjoy.

--
Blair Bernson
Seattle