This weekend had some exciting bird sightings for Vashon Island. Michael
Scuderi, a Rainier Audubon birder, found a Wilson's Phalerope on Maury
Island approximately 1/2 way between the cable crossing and the lighthouse.
The bird was by itself foraging in the water. He took photos clearly showing
a Wilson's Phalerope. It's the second record for Vashon. It seems rather
unusual to have one this late after migration. There were historically
breeding populations in the Tacoma tideflats when there still were some back
in the 1930's and 1940's and also Nisqually NWR had nesting up into the
1970's. No other westside breeding since then I believe. Regular breeder
in eastern WA.



Also, the Vashon Audubon fieldtrip saw adult Chipping Sparrows gathering
food for young and heading off with the food, pretty good evidence of
breeding. This is the first year we have had multiple birds stay around and
had hoped to find breeding evidence. Typically Vashon has one, maybe two,
one-time sightings of Chipping Sparrow's moving through in spring migration.
This year, multiple sightings occurred at two locations with 3-4 birds seen
regularly at one location that now has adults gathering food. It's
exciting that the field trip observed the good gathering and also Michael
Elenko got photos of the birds flying with the food.



Ed Swan

Nature writer and guide

www.theswancompany.com <http://www.theswancompany.com>

edswan at centurytel.net <mailto:edswan at centurytel.net>

206.463.7976