After reading the report by Jordan Gunn this morning I decided to
head on over to Discovery Park and try for the NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD.
I arrived a bit later than planned and people were already leaving
(some having obtained glimpses of the bird and others not so
fortunate). I ended up chatting with friends for about 1/2 hour or so
before I really started birding on my own. After about 10 minutes of
searching I saw a white wing flash in some dense trees and shrubs not
far from where the bird had been reported earlier and new I was on
target.
I got about two or three quick glimpses of the bird when Penny Rose
happened to show up and we both looked the area over. Finally the
bird came out landed on a branch and flew down to the paved walkway
(nabbing an insect); allowing for a good view. Penny had to leave but
I decided to sit down on the walkway and wait to see if the bird would
show again. Patience paid off as the NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD perched up
a couple of times for prolonged views and flew down to the walkway
several times. For some reason this bird is a real skulker and you
just have to be patient and wait for it to show. A great Discovery
Park bird.

Cheers and Good Birding;

Michael Fleming
Ballard, Washington
michaelfleming01 AT gmail.com