I asked a few days back for suggestions for good bird hikes in the North
Bend area, so I could have a nice stroll after dropping my daughter's class
off for rock-climbing at exit 38 (off I-90) - a number of suggestions were
made, including the Three Forks Natural Area, and Rattlesnake Ridge. I hit
them in reverse order, which left me very little time for TFNA, and I have
nothing of interest to report from that location.



At Rattlesnake, however, the birding was excellent, with some VERY LOUD
grosbeaks singing, but being very coy about getting seen. Judging from all
the peeping down in the brush, it's been a very good year for wrens. Lots of
the usual suspects (chickadees (chestnut-backed), juncos, Wilson's warblers,
and Townsend's thrushes), and one interesting warbler. I got good looks and
good listens to the song, and I'm pretty damn sure it was a black-throated
gray warbler - but my Peterson's, for some reason, lists it as "accidental".
I checked when I got home and this seems to be well within its distribution,
so either Peterson's is confused, or I am. Does this seem like a
to-be-expected sighting? Or am I likely to have misidentified this bird?
When I first saw it I blinked and thought I'd seen a black-and-white
warbler, but then I remembered I don't live in Ohio any more, and this
really is the only thing that fits.



At any rate, I had a lovely hike up to a good turnaround about two miles
out, and an equally pleasant trip back. Thanks to Carol Schulz for the
suggestion, and thanks to all who sent in suggestions. I have several more
days of trips to do, it seems.



Cheers,



Josh Hayes in Licton Springs (north Seattle)

josh dot hayes at q dot com