Tweeters,



Along with a big push of Golden-crowned Sparrows seen this morning, a
Spotted Towhee marked like the interior forms, with more than twice the
white dorsal markings of the usual western Washington oregonus, was at our
feeders today. Very flashy, especially right alongside the duller oregonus,
seems too boldly white to be an in-between intergrade of subspecies. I
suppose curtatus and arcticus are the most likely possibilities.

[The subspecies maps in the 6th Ed. NatGeo guide are really a nice
resource.]



Wahl et al Birds of Washington describe curtatus as a somewhat regular
vagrant on the west side. Not exactly a mega-rarity, but may stick around
if anyone wants to try and photograph it.



Good birding, Bob



Bob Sundstrom

Tenino, WA

ixoreus at scattercreek.com