Hi Tweeters & Inland-NW-Birders -

An updated version of the 2017 county year list project is up at Washington Birder. We've received updates from most of the counties with details through the end of August. County compilers, especially for the under-birded counties, would appreciate receiving reports of any birds seen in their counties.

This year with 2/3 of the year done, we've tallied 375 species statewide. That's five fewer than last year at this point, two fewer than 2015, two better than 2014?s 373 and seven below 2013?s total of 382.

Eastern WA has tallied 304 species, nine fewer than last year a this point, six fewer than 2015 [308], three fewer than 2014 [307] and twelve fewer than 2013 [316].

Western WA, at 336 species is nine down than the 345 species tallied in both 2016 and 2015 at this point,, seven below 2015?s total of 343 and one below 2014?s total of 337.

24 counties are over 200 for the year, and 20 are doing better than last year at this point. That said, 30 counties are within 10 species of last year's total at this point - a sign of continued consistency despite he differences that we focus on every year. The biggest deviations from last year? Garfield County is up 28 species over last year, Franklin is down 21.

Looking at the birds missed this year so far that are surprising, not many surprises ? a few will be picked up when Grays Harbor Co checks in w/ pelagic birds, a couple have shown up since the beginning of Sep. Beyond that, Blue Jay, Scripps?s Murrelet and Tufted Duck are the ones that stand out for being MIA.

If you'd like to take a look at where things stand, the list and many other interesting files are at the Washington Birder website:

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


A direct link to the 2017 county yearlist & the list of county compilers:

http://www.wabirder.com/county_yearlist.html <http://www.wabirder.com/county_yearlist.html>


Thanks to all the compilers and all those pitching in to sketch a picture of another year's birds in WA.


Matt Bartels
Seattle, WA