Subject: [Tweeters] Possible Cautionary Words for Anyone Planning a Chase of
Date: Nov 6 19:30:29 2017
From: B B - birder4184 at yahoo.com


Several of us were very fortunate to get great looks and photos of the Zone Tailed Hawk late this morning in Neah Bay.? We saw it perched in the open on Backtrack Road south and east of Butler's Motel - the same general vicinity that it was seen yesterday and again earlier this morning.? At about 11:15 a.m. it flew off its perch heading generally north.? An amazing bird for Washington.? It was discovered yesterday by Adrian Hinkle and Em Scattaregia.? They were also in the group viewing it with us this morning.? The weather was fantastic and is supposed to be pretty good tomorrow as well, and I know that some birders are considering a visit to Neah Bay tomorrow to see this State First.
A word of caution - heard second hand from Michael Barry:? When Adrian and Em left after the Zone Tailed Hawk flew, they were heading to the Ba'adeh Village area.? Apparently while there they saw the Zone Tailed Hawk fly overhead and heading north and east - over the water.? As far as I know it was not seen again in Neah Bay today.? I am not sure if others were there looking for it so that might not be determinative, but at least take this into consideration if you are thinking of a trip.
HOWEVER, there are some possible consolation "prizes".? All birders who saw the Zone Tailed Hawk also saw White Winged Crossbills in the vicinity of the Hobuck Beach picnic area.? There are many heavily cone laded trees there and we had at least 4 White Winged Crossbills feeding and calling there around noon.? Others reported single birds or larger flocks.
Big thank yous to Adrian and Em for their Zone Tailed Hawk discovery and to Matt Dufort who first reported it yesterday.
Blair Bernson