Good morning Tweets,

The Brambling put on quite a show this morning! There was a brief sighting at 8:15 AM, before I arrived. But the real magic started at 9:50 AM, when someone spotted it in the cedar just to the right of the deck. After sitting in the tree for about one minute with its head peeking out, the Brambling flew into the holly bush up the hill for about 20 minutes.

Then, it briefly flew into the blossoming white magnolia in the yard, before returning to the tall cedar, where Alan Grenon refound it for all of us at about 10:25 AM. The Brambling sat very still for long periods of time, and everyone present got good looks and photos. The Brambling even stretched its wing out and preened at one point, and it was acting very calm.

While it was in the cedar, the Brambling flew in a wide loop above the deck before returning to its perch, almost like a flycatcher would. It also briefly hopped across the deck before returning to the tree.

Some birders there were discussing the age and sex of the bird, and settled on winter-plumaged male based on the orange-pink throat.

As I left at 10:50 AM, the Brambling was spotted in the trees directly across the road from the house, and I caught a glimpse before it dropped down and out of sight.

There was also a singing male Purple Finch, many crows, lots of siskins, two Varied Thrushes, and a calling Red-tailed Hawk, as well as juncos, Chestnut-backed Chickadees and other birds.

The Brambling really is handsome, with its white belly, salmon-orange throat and breast, and grayish head with black around the beak and eyes. The pattern on its wings is also very unique and interesting. The Brambling has been a dream-bird of mine almost since the beginning of my birding career, when I first learned of the phenomenon of vagrancy. It is with great joy that I can say, "I have seen a Brambling."

Wonderful views, wonderful bird! Birding is such a grand hobby.

Happily, Joshua Glant

Mercer Island, WA

Josh.n.glant at gmail.com


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