wosnews 110 - washington ornithological society

WASHINGTON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY August / September 2007

WOSNews 110 Wild Birding ~ How’s The Weather

Part 1—Birding the Heat There are five main types of meteorological events that can affect birds and birder alike. In no particular order they are: Heat, Cold, Wind, Rain, and Snow. Sometimes two or more of these combine to take birding over the edge. Sometimes one type can be so severe that the very survival of birds or birder is at risk A look at each of these weather conditions and how they affect Birder and birds alike in Washington will help you have a better and safer day afield. We will also explore the choices that the Birder can make that will result in more birds than one might expect with difficult weather conditions. While weather can make a difference in what types of bird you chase, the time of year is also a factor that cannot be ignored. For the purposes of this article let’s assume we are birding in May or September. This is a time when both passerine migration and shorebird migration tend to intertwine. Birding in hot weather is something that birders that travel, or live in the eastside of Washington state face on a regular basis. Even in May and September temperatures exceeding 100-degrees in the Columbia Basin are not uncommon. Eastern Oregon, Arizona, Utah, and Texas are other locations that come to mind when I think of birding in the heat. Well-traveled birders may think of Central and South America, Africa, and Indochina as well. Heat is my least favorite weather and one that seems to affect me dramatically in ways that most other birders are not affected. My methodology here is to limit birding to morning hours, drink tons of water, and quit when the temperatures reach 90-degrees. For others, the steps may not be so dramatic, but caution is advised when temperature exceed 90-degrees. Today there are some great clothes available to combat the heat. Ventilated shirts and pants with a moisture wicking cloth are available through most manufacturers of outdoor clothing. Light hats to keep the sun off of the head and ventilate the head are also available. Buy them and use them. Also use sunscreen and wear dark glasses. Too much sun is a factor in skin cancers and too much sun without eye protection is a primary cause of cataracts. Some birds feel the same way as I do about the

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Common Loons at Ferry Lake by Teri J Pieper

On June 6th, Ken Bevis and I camped at Ferry Lake about 13 miles southwest of Republic in Ferry County. There is a small Forest Service campground with nine sites and a non-motorized boat launch. The previous day I had observed a pair of common loons changing places on an artificial nest platform.

At 7:00 on the morning of the 7th, I was on the lakeshore with my scope and tripod-mounted camera watching the loons. I thought if I was patient a loon would float by fairly close for a good photo opportunity. One bird stayed on the nest and the other bathed, then preened and oiled his feathers drifting aimlessly around the lake never coming too close. It was a pretty, slightly overcast, quiet morning. I was distracted by red-winged blackbirds taking food to their nest and yellow warblers in the trees overhanging the water.

After some time had passed, another loon flew in and landed on the lake. Loons, due to their heavy bodies, are noisy flyers. They do not sneak up on you. When the bird came to the water, it used one wing as a rudder to make a sharp turn at the water’s surface. It was quite the finishing flourish. Soon a pair of loons joined the first visitor coming onto the water in the same manner. The original pair of nesting birds joined the other three and all five birds began to fish cooperatively. I had never seen this behavior before and found it captivating! The birds foraged together with one or two peering into the water and then they would all dive and resurface one at a time in different locations. This

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Five loons cooperatively fishing, Ferry Lake, Ferry, June 6th 2007. Photo by the author.

WOSNews 110: August / September 2007 2

The Society The Washington Ornithological Society was chartered in 1988 to increase knowledge of

the birds of Washington and to enhance communication among all persons interested in those birds. WOS is a

nonprofit educational organization under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code. For information about the Society, contact an

officer or board member, or write to:

Washington Ornithological Society P.O. Box 31783

Seattle, WA 98103-1783

PRESIDENT Randy Hill 615 S 6th Ave., Othello 99344 509-488-9418 [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT Eugene Hunn 18476 47 Pl NE, Lk. Forest Park 98155 206-365-2043 [email protected]

SECRETARY

Kathy Andrich 25739 135th Ave SE #39, Kent 98042 206-390-3159 [email protected]

TREASURER Joyce Meyer 13825 231st Ln. NE, Redmond 98053 425-868-7986 [email protected]

BOARD MEMBERS Gina Sheridan 5317 S. Palouse Hwy, Apt. #B-311, Spokane 99223 509-443-7213 [email protected]

Cindy McCormack 4218 E 35th Ave., Spokane 99223 509-448-3825 [email protected]

Bart Whelton W. 1112-17th Ave., Spokane 99203 509-747-0161 [email protected]

Bob Flores 23712 NE 10th Ave, Ridgefield 99344 360-887-8998 [email protected]

Jack Stephens 7107 156th St SW, Edmonds 98026 425-742-8721 [email protected]

WOS Meetings No September meeting

Monday, October 1st—Swans with Martha Jordan Martha Jordan, well-known swan biologist, will present a program on Washington's native Trumpeter and Tundra swans. You will earn more about their life history, biology, ecology, as well as swan identification. She will also shed some light on the problems and controversies these birds face on their winter grounds, including the lead poisoning die-off.

With a degree in wildlife science from Oregon State University, Martha has been interested in swans since the 1970s and she has been a major contributor of information to state and federal agencies on the status of Trumpeter Swans in the state of Washington, including the first swan management plan. She has been a board member of The Trumpeter Swan Society since 1985 and chairs the Washington Swan Working Group. She is self-employed, and works as a human and animal massage therapist as well as a dog trainer and wildlife biologist.

Martha is impassioned about the role of swans. She will share with us, via a slide show, the facts, myths and legends of the swans of Washington’s winter. She will also shed some light on the problems and controversies these birds face on their wintering grounds and how we can insure their future. She will talk about recent lead poisoning die-offs and other survival issues swans face in Washington state as well as other parts of the country.

Monday, November 5th—Song sparrows, Discovery Park by Chris Templeton I am generally interested in the evolution and ecological implications of animal behavior. Although my research interests and projects are quite diverse, the common theme seems to be related to understanding how organisms obtain, communicate, and use information in their environments. I began graduate studies at the University of Washington in 2003 where I work in Mike Beecher’s Lab. My dissertation research is focused on understanding how young birds learn to sing and communicate with their songs. In particular, I'm examining the importance of social interactions for song learning in song sparrows (Melospiza melodia).

Monday, December 3rd—Members Photo Night

Monthly Membership Meetings are held the first Monday of the month (except July, August, & September). They are held at the Center for Urban Horticulture on the University of Washington campus, 3501 NE 41st St., Seattle, and are open to all. The social begins at 7:00 p.m. and the program starts at 7:30 p.m.

Directions: From I-5 take SR520 East. Take the Montlake Blvd NE exit and turn North towards the University of Washington campus. Stay in right lane and drive North on Montlake Blvd (over the bridge and past the stadium). The road will curve to the right around the Montlake Fill and merges with NE 45th St. You will quickly approach a 5 way intersection. At the intersection turn right onto Mary Gates Memorial Drive. The Center for Urban Horticulture is 2 long blocks down on the right. There is plenty of free parking at the facility. We use the main meeting room, the backside of which faces the road. The following bus routes stop at NE 45th and Mary Gates Memorial Drive: #25, 65, & 75. A map can be found at http://depts.washington.edu/urbhort/html/info/contact.html.


Be Informed WOSNews is published bimonthly by the Washington Ornithological Society to inform members about Society business, bird sightings, ornithological research, and the fun of birding. Readers are welcome to submit art ic les, announcements, illustrations, photographs, and other items for consideration. Contributor guidelines are available.

Editor Diann MacRae 22622 53rd Ave SE Bothell, WA 98021 [email protected]

Production Michael Hobbs [email protected]

Distribution Steve Dang [email protected]

Raven illustrations by Linda Feltner © 1989. Printed by Impression Printing, Seattle.

Manuscripts for WASHINGTON BIRDS should be sent to the journal editor:

Joe Buchanan 2112 Ravenna Ln SE, Olympia 98501 [email protected]

Visit the Society’s web site at

http://www.wos.org

Subscribe to the Tweeters email bird discussion list on the Web at:

http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters/

Questions? Email the list administrator at: tweeters-owner

@mailman1.u.washington.edu

Membership News

Just a little reminder from your membership chair: if you have any changes to your address or email please pass them on to me via email or in writing. Send corrections to [email protected] or to PO Box 31783 Seattle WA 98103-1783.

We are striving to improve our member support which will include publishing the directory on a regular basis. In 2002 we initiated a “Welcome to WOS” letter for new members that includes a complementary checklist and information about membership meetings. We appreciate your feedback. Send us your comments and especially any suggestions you might have to improve WOS.

Susan Fallat, Membership chair

FROM THE BOARD by Eugene Hunn We met for our bimonthly meeting Saturday, May 19, at President Randy Hill’s home

base, the USF&WS offices in Othello. The West Side contingent carpooled to save a bit of gas, squeezing in a bit of birding en route.

After approving minutes and treasurer reports we turned our attention to dotting the “eyes” and crossing the “tees” on the details of our annual convention at Grays Harbor in September. Jack Stephens deserves our thanks for all his heavy lifting organizing the conference. Don’t delay! Registration opened June 16. Field Trips will include several pelagic trips, always heavily subscribed, plus an ample list of land-based tours.

I brought up the last item of new business, that is, whether WOS should be proactive in promoting “green birding,” given the facts of global warming. One suggestion was to sponsor “carbon-free,” or at least “carbon-lite” field trips, big days, etc. (i.e., on foot, by bike, row-boat, or bus). I plan to offer a carbon-lite field trip at Ocean Shores at the convention. There is a fine variety of birds to be found by hiking from the marina woods to the jetty. Your suggestions for greening our birding are welcome.

Washington Birds editor Joe Buchanan joined us for an extended and frank conversation on the delay in publishing the WOS journal, which we are painfully aware is a privilege of WOS membership. The last issue, Volume 8, appeared five years ago in 2002. Joe reported that Volume 9 is ready for mailing and you should all have it in hand by the time you read this. We discussed a number of options for getting back on schedule, including the possibility of publishing electronically on the WOS website each article as soon as it is ready, then bundling the articles for a single print volume when enough material is at hand. A switch to a more user-friendly publishing software should make this relatively effortless. New features are promised to increase the flow of quality submissions, prerequisite to on-time publication. Please share with Joe your ideas for articles and commentaries that might be prepared for publication in future issues of Washington Birds.

We also discussed the Washington Bird Records Committee, which is a standing committee of WOS governed by the WOS by-laws. The periodic reports of the deliberations of the WBRC have been long delayed, in part because of the delay in publishing Washington Birds, which we hope will be remedied soon. We reviewed the charter of the California Bird Records Committee, which like the WBRC is chartered by the Western Field Ornithologists (WFO). We plan discussions with the WBRC with regard to improving communication between the committee and the WOS membership.

Finally, we brainstormed on who to nominate to fill two open board positions and how to replace Joyce Meyer, who has served us very well for the past two and some odd years. As usual, we try our best to maintain balance on the board between east and west sides, male and female, and perspectives. Please vote!

Vulture’s Roost by Diann MacRae For those who read my little column, this will be my last. After nearly 40 issues it’s time for me to pay attention to 15 years of research on turkey vultures.

At present, I am working with the Clallam County Parks Department in working up an interpretive sign near where the fall turkey vulture count takes place at Salt Creek County Park. The park department will update all of the signs this summer and the first one I’ve seen is quite beautiful. Sort of a cutting edge presentation as far as kiosk-type signs go. The Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society received a grant for the vulture interpretive sign and it should be done this summer. So, if you are out at Salt Creek in the near future, look for the vulture sign—in the wooded area in the park near a north-facing walkway down to the tidepools.

I must then address the 13 years of migration counts at Salt Creek and the nine years of demographics from Tweeters sightings—to which I thank all who patiently keep contributing. I find it interesting and special to study a species which is not endangered and which everyone else is not studying. Vultures are truly neat birds!

I have very much enjoyed the experience of being WOSNews editor and working with the many people who have contributed to its being. It’s not always an easy job, but it’s rewarding to contribute to a group such as WOS. I hope to stay involved, but in perhaps a less “busy” way.

Thanks again to all who have helped and inspired me.


Wednesday, August 22nd—Marv Breece will lead a trip to The Nature Conservancy’s Port Susan Bay Preserve in Snohomish County. The main focus for the day will be fall migrating shorebirds. There may be other stops in Snohomish and Skagit Counties depending on time, tides, and where the birds decide to show up. Bring binoculars and a scope, lunch, drinks, and snacks. Be prepared to eat on the run, without a planned lunch stop. Return late afternoon or early evening. Limit of seven participants. Please email Marv at [email protected] or call (206) 634-1725.

Friday, September 7th—Kevin Aanerud will lead a trip in Kittitas, Grant, and Adams Counties. Beginning with stops around Vantage, the trip will continue south along the Columbia River and then eastward toward the Wahluke Slope. This trip in most years yields good numbers of the regularly occurring passerine migrants with the possibility of a rarity or two. During the afternoon, the focus of attention will shift to shorebirds at the Para Ponds near Othello and other locales around Moses Lake. Be prepared to walk for two or three miles at Wahluke, and a long day of birding. Limit of ten participants. For details contact Kevin at (206) 523-6195 or email [email protected].

Saturday, October 13th—Brad Waggoner will lead a trip in Kitsap County covering areas from Bainbridge Island to Point No Point. The focus for the day will be waterbirds, shorebirds, and late fall migrants. Target birds include yellow-billed loon, eared grebe, harlequin duck, long-tailed duck, ancient murrelet, and rocky shorebirds, possibly including rock sandpiper. Dress for the weather and bring a spotting scope. Limit of six participants. For details contact Brad at [email protected] or call (206) 780-9581.

Sunday, October 7th—Stefan Schlick will lead a trip in Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties to selected sites between Ocean Shores and Tokeland, depending on time, tides and what is hot. Potential stops in the Ocean Shores area could include Damon Point and the Game Range with options to include Bill’s Spit, Brown’s Jetty, and/or the Hoquiam STP. Potential stops south of Aberdeen would include Tokeland with options to include Midway Beach, Westport, Bottle Beach and/or the Johns River WMA. Time permitting, a stop in the Brady Loop area on the way home. Target species include Pacific and American golden plover, snowy plover, bar-tailed godwit, sharp-tailed sandpiper, “streaked” horned lark, palm warbler and Lapland longspur. Be prepared for a fast paced trip; dress for the weather and bring a scope, lunch, drinks and snacks (no planned lunch stop). Limit to eight participants. For details contact Stefan at (916) 293-1235 or email [email protected].

Tuesday, August 21st—Gary Bletsch will lead a trip in Skagit County hiking from the Rainy Pass trailhead to Cutthroat Pass. Target birds would include three-toed woodpecker, mountain chickadee, Townsend’s solitaire, hermit thrush, pine grosbeak, white-winged crossbill, and other mountain birds. Bring binoculars and a day-pack with lunch, drinks and snack. Be prepared for an all day hike, returning late afternoon and dress for the weather. Limit to eight birders. For details contact Gary at (360) 826-3750 or email [email protected].

Field Trips allow members to explore places or revisit familiar haunts. Each trip is open to a limited number of participants. Each member may join up to four trips per year (excluding annual conference trips). Non-members may attend as a member’s guest once per year. Questions about field trips should be directed to the trip leader(s). If you would like to lead a field trip, or would like to suggest a location for a field trip, send a note to Kraig Kemper and Ken Knittle at [email protected].

WOS Field Trips 2007 Aberdeen Conference September 14th-17th

—Jack Stephens Western and Least Sandpipers probe for food at

the shoreline, with the occasional semipalmated sandpiper joining in. Baird’s sandpipers forage nearby. Could that be a buff-breasted sandpiper up in the grass? Could that pectoral sandpiper really be a sharp-tailed? The possibility of the rare find, such as the Eurasian dotterel and bristle-thighed curlew of years past, adds electricity to the day.

Shorebird migration is one of the great wonders of the natural world. Each spring and fall, we have the chance to head to the coast to mark this great event. For many of us, that means hours in the car there and back, making for a long, tiring, and fuel inefficient day. How much better to go and spend a few days, and spend those morning and evening hours birding? How much better to go with fellow birders, to share the time, trade stories, and help find that elusive rarity. Top that off with group leaders that include some of the best birders in the state, two evening lectures by Northwest birders of national standing, receptions and a dinner, and you have the 2007 WOS conference in Grays Harbor on September 14th-17th.

The field trips are particularly strong for the conference. Far from being limited to coastal mudflats, the variety of habitats we will cover include salt marshes, rock jetties, sand dunes, rock coastal cliffs, freshwater lakes and ponds, grassland, conifer forest, broadleaf forest, shrubby thickets, farmland, marinas, riparian corridors, and my personal favorite, sewage treatment plants. Species that will be seen include not only shorebirds but a broad cross section of Washington’s avifauna, including ducks, geese, gulls, terns, loons, alcids, grebes, raptors, and an array of passerines. There will be two trips specifically for owls.

I would be remiss if I didn’t emphasize the pelagic trips offered in the conference. A whole other world of birding awaits out beyond the horizon seen from shore. We are fortunate to have the ability to accommodate 25 participants for pelagic trips on three separate days. For those of you who are contemplating a pelagic trip, now is the time to sign up. Victor Emanuel Tours has booked one of our boats for the weekend before our conference, so this is world-class birding at your doorstep. I should also mention that in order to secure the boats for all three days, WOS has committed to paying for them regardless of attendance. If they fill, we will do well, if not, it could be an expensive gamble for the organization. If you are on the fence, please consider signing up for at least one pelagic during the conference. The shearwaters and storm-petrels are calling your name.

At the time of this writing, we have about 62 participants signed up, with 38 pelagic spots spoken for. At this point, reservations for the field trips of your choice are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. So, don’t delay, go to the WOS website, print up a registration form and send it on in. You won’t be disappointed. Don’t forget the dates: September 14th-17th.


heat and when temperatures become uncomfortable (above 90-degrees) they hightail it for parts unknown and seem to be difficult to coax into view. Choosing your quarry type is one way to maximize your chances of a successful day when the weather is blazing hot. Another way to beat the heat is by choosing the time of day you should pursue a given type of bird. The wisest of birders choose the correct types of birds to chase and the correct time of day to do so. By doing so they narrow the search area to a smaller field, they allow themselves the opportunity to look for birds that are more active at certain time of the day, and they often reduce their own exposure to heat related problems. This simple planning can be the difference between a great day of birding and a poor day. Passerines (both breeding birds and migrating birds) dislike the heat and reduce their activities in the hottest parts of the day. Shorebirds seem to be less affected by hot weather. They are active all day, even in the heat of the afternoon. Waterbirds, or other birds that are often associated with water, are usually less active during hot weather, but usually more accessible than other families of birds. Raptors, especially migrating hawks, find the thermals of mid-day a good way to move toward the south. While local birds seem to perch more and fly less during very hot weather. That said; let’s make a plan for a day of birding in the eastside. The afternoon temperature is supposed to be nearly 100-degrees.

PLAN A: Columbia Basin Area Migrant Trap A – owls/nightjars/migrating passerines – 5:00 am to light enough to see passerines Migrant Trap A – passerines – until 8:00 am Migrant Trap B (if time permits a second) – passerines – 8:30 am to 11:00 am No Name Lake – waterbirds – 11:30 am to 12:00 noon Shorebird Pond – Shorebirds – 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm Mystical Mudflats – Shorebirds – 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm By this time I am usually done in with the heat and it is time for a long break. If the birding has been pretty good I might continue the day at a third migrant trap and work the thickets for passerines in the evening once the temperature drops sin the evening. Making a plan like this, based on the weather, has maximized my chances at some species and has not hurt my chances at others. I was able to bird passerines when the weather was at it’s coolest and my activities were at their highest. I checked out water birds and shorebirds during the heat of the day when I could limit my physical activities, but the birds were still about. Another way to beat the heat is to go birding in the higher elevations or on the outer coast and simply get away from the heat. I have done so for many years (though we do not go every year) by going into the mountains above Ellensburg (around 7000’ in elevation) or going to the outer coast and camping for a weekend.

PLAN B: Ocean Shores/Tokeland – spend a weekend chasing birds on the outer coast for the weekend

PLAN C: Naneum Ridge – spend the weekend in the mountains and chase whatever is there Temperatures at those places will be 20-degrees cooler than in the Columbia Basin typically, and the different species of birds encountered in these areas are a refreshing change from the norm. The hottest birding days I remember were in Arizona and Utah, and in the Columbia Basin during the August shorebird migration. Temperatures are usually in the 100’s (sometimes approaching, or exceeding, 110-degrees) and were difficult to deal with. I ended up sick and learned my lesson. Now I make a plan, bird in the morning, drink plenty of water and/or electrolyte drinks, and quit early before the real heat arrives. Or, I get out of the heat by traveling to higher elevations or to areas where the temperatures are not so bad. Heat related illness is a real possibility when the temperatures exceed 90-degrees, and are even possible with temperatures above 80-degrees. It is important to dress appropriately and limit strenuous activities in these temperatures. Increase your intake of fluids and consider electrolyte drinks to supplement loss of electrolytes due to sweating. Reduce your intake of caffeine and alcohol containing beverages (primarily coffee and sodas), as they can compound the problems encountered with heat and increase the likelihood of heat-related illnesses.

Wild Birding ~ How’s The Weather Part 1—Birding the Heat—continued from page 1.

In the afternoon sun, the only birds seen at the Quilomene Wildlife Area , Kittitas, were a couple of Horned Larks. Photo by Michael Hobbs


activity went on for about an hour and during that time the nest was left untended.

Gradually, fishing activity ceased and one bird made its way to the north end of the lake, using its wings to propel itself like a pair of oars. At the far end, like an airplane on a runway, it turned and began to run across the water until it gained enough momentum to become airborne. At the other end of the lake, it had to bank sharply and circle the water, circling the lake three times until it had enough altitude to clear the trees. It looked like it took a lot of effort. Soon, a second bird left with the same routine. One bird returned to the nest.

The two remaining birds on the water began to chase each other around the lake, rowing with their wings and sometimes running along the surface of the water. They sometimes called back and forth and made a great commotion splashing water with their wings. The first time this happened, the chase continued nonstop for at least twenty minutes with the birds zigzagging back and forth in front of me and then to the south end of the lake and back again. At times, it appeared that the lead would change as if the two were racing. The two birds continued to chase each other around the lake off and on for more than an hour, taking breaks to rest and preen. Once, the bird on the nest climbed off the nest, perhaps to cheer on a favorite? It gradually became quiet on the lake again and the two settled into bathing and preening, each ignoring the other. Ken and I finally left in the early afternoon after spending nearly six hours observing fascinating performances of rare nesting loons in northern Washington.

According to the Adirondack Cooperative Loon Program website (www.adkscience.org), the behaviors we observed were not unusual. It said that social groups might consist of individuals that did not nest successfully and they might be joined by a bird with chicks while the mate is left to tend for the young. It also identified the ‘wing rowing’ activity by the two birds as a fight.

According to loon researchers Ginger Gumm and Dan Poleschook there are less than fifteen pairs of nesting loons in Washington State.

Common Loons at Ferry Lake continued from page 1

Ferry Lake is one of just a handful of lakes in Washington State on which loons breed.

Middle photo—loons “racing”

All photos by Teri J. Piper, copyright 2007.


Bird finding guidebooks are one of my biggest weaknesses in life. They stir up excited emotions of seemingly endless birding opportunities and, of course, learning of those special places where a few of my nemesis species can at last be discovered. If you’re like me, then you’ll be interested in picking up a copy of Birds of Lane County, Oregon, a newly published book that describes the best places to birdwatch in Oregon’s most bird-diverse county. The book is edited by Alan Contreras, who has lived in Lane County for more than 30 years and has written or edited several previous books that will be familiar to many Washington readers, including Northwest Birds in Winter and Birds of Oregon: a General Reference.

Lane County is probably best known to Washington birders as the home of the cities of Eugene, Springfield, and Florence, and the campus of the University of Oregon. It is one of Oregon’s larger counties and measures more than 4,600 square miles in size (for perspective, this is larger than any county in Washington except Okanogan). The boundaries of the county extend from the coast and several offshore banks to the Cascade crest and the Three Sisters, which reach more than 10,000 feet in elevation. Parts of two national forests, Willamette and Siuslaw, are also present. All of this gives Lane County considerable variety in habitat, thereby accounting for its large diversity of birds. Currently, 403 bird species have been recorded or are considered hypothetical.

Like many bird finding guides, Birds of Lane County, Oregon is comprised of two major sections. The first of these describes 100 prominent birding sites found in the county. These are organized into 12 geographical sub-regions, each of which has anywhere from three to 31 site accounts and is authored by one or more experts familiar with the area. Each of the sub-regions begins with opening remarks about the area in general. These are then followed by the site accounts, which range in length from a few sentences to several pages per location. These contain directions for finding the site, information on facilities present, species of interest that may be seen as

well as a smattering of past rarities that have occurred, and information on the best seasons and tidal conditions for visiting. One or more maps accompany each of the sub-regions. Most of these are roadmaps intended only to help in finding the site, but detailed maps (with local roads, trails, and landmarks) are also provided for a few locations. Of the 12 sub-regions, coastal sites are best represented with 31 described (no pelagic sites are included).

Much of the second half of the book is comprised of individual accounts for all confirmed and hypothetical species. For me, this is the best part of any bird-finding guide and in this regard Birds of Lane County, Oregon is excellent. This section, which was compiled by the editor, starts with an introduction that explains sources of information and content of the accounts. Each account contains summaries of a bird’s status and distribution in Lane County and many

have a short list of sites that are the most reliable for finding the species. Some accounts also come with Christmas Bird Count data. Accounts are usually several paragraphs long, but are much briefer for casual or vagrant birds. Taxonomy is current up through the 2006 revisions to the AOU checklist.

The book also has a number of short chapters or sections that will be useful to readers. These include 1) a summary of the physical geography of Lane County, 2) a short history of ornithology in the county, 3) average dates of arrival for spring and fall migrants, 4) a gazetteer, 5) a short bibliography, 6) contact information for noteworthy agencies and organizations, 7) a checklist of county birds, and 8) an index.

I highly recommend Birds of Lane County, Oregon to anyone interested in birdwatching in Oregon or who seeks a broader knowledge of Northwest birds. Even with the high cost of gasoline this summer, this book makes me ready to hit the road in search of new birding opportunities outside of Washington. It also leaves me hoping that more county-level bird finding guides will continue to appear for our own state.

Book Review by Gary J. Wiles Birds of Lane County, Oregon

2006. Edited by Alan L. Contreras, illustrated by Barbara B. C. Gleason. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, Oregon. Paperback, 366 pp., list price $20.00.


Note: Recently there has been a lengthy discussion on Tweeters regarding birding on private or so-called private lands. Both Doug Schonewald and Kelly McAllister have made comments that may be of help to birders in this regard. Editor.

One thing that we must remember is that trespass laws are set by each state. Comparing what is legal as far as trespass in one state to Washington is not a good idea as that same circumstance may be illegal in Washington or another state. Here are some examples (a few are possibly outdated):

In South and North Dakota the property must be posted every 600 feet with either a sign or a flame orange post (of a certain size) or public access is OK even if it is obviously private, i.e. agricultural land. No legal action can be taken unless the property is posted properly.

In Idaho only land that is not obviously private must be posted in this manner, while land that is obviously private does not have to be posted. Trespass is OK on un-posted land up until the landowner asks you to leave. Trespass is not OK on obvious private property and legal action can be taken whether posted or not.

n some states water can be owned, while in others it cannot. In some states the land under that water can be owned, while in others land below the high water mark are state property (sometimes this applies to navigable waters only, while in others it applies to all waters). In some states it is illegal for landowners to block access to public lands, while in some blocking access is an accepted, albeit heinous, practice and is legal to do. There are even laws on the book that disallow the blocking of a previous access by a new owner.

There are maps that outline private vs. public (i.e. government land) available for the state of Washington. I think they can be ordered through DNR. Each map covers a specific portion of the state. They are fairly expensive (due to the number required to cover the entire state), but worth the price in my opinion.

A tactic that is rampant in many parts of the west is to 'buffalo' folks into thinking that property is off limits and private when it is not.

I have seen Boise Cascade lands posted with personal No Trespassing signs (Boise Cascade is aware of the problem and likes to hear from folks when they discover this). I

have also seen BLM land, trust land, and even NF lands posted by private individuals.

I've been accosted by individuals and admonished that I was trespassing. If I am certain (and you need to be certain without a doubt) I am not trespassing, I produce the map, show them what the map says, and allow them to explain the map. Sometimes that ends the discussion, other times they continue to insist. At that point I prefer not to argue as there is much drug manufacturing and cultivation happening on public lands and who knows who we're dealing with here. At that point I ask for their name and politely leave (whether I get the name or not) and then contact the authorities.

As has been stated, a tablespoon of sugar is worth a gallon of vinegar, but I find it extremely irritating when someone tries to pull this type of scam and keep folks off of land they have every right to access.

All of this is not to say that the property in question is not private, it may well be. If so, the owner should post it as such; But still, a little respect goes a long way from both sides.

My recommendation is to get one of the maps that shows all public vs. private property and use it.

- Doug Schonewald

Doug refers to the Major Public Lands quadrangles produced by the Washington Department of Natural Resources. These are 1:100,000 scale maps

and I agree with Doug, they are invaluable. It's a shame that these maps, produced by a public agency and depicting public lands, are not available, free of charge, in the World Wide Web. I suspect DNR believes that, because they are a product of the proprietary side, the side of the agency that has obligations to manage all assets for the school trust, that they cannot make the maps available without charge (or maybe they simply see it as a revenue generator). A statewide version, much smaller scale and not as useful, can be downloaded free of charge from the DNR web site.

There may be a number of places to obtain these maps. DNR has a publications outlet along old U.S. 99, across from the Olympia Airport in Tumwater. The maps are $6.03 each and 43 maps comprise the entire state. Here's a link to the website with ordering instructions: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/dataandmaps/maps/100k_product.html

- Kelly McAllister

Trespassing and Maps

NOTICE OF ANNUAL ELECTION—(Ballot also available at www.wos.org) Notice is hereby given to members of the Washington Ornithological Society that, pursuant to the provisions of the Bylaws, this the Ballot for the Annual Election of Officers and Directors. Individual members are entitled to one vote. Family membership allows a second vote by another member of the household. (Photocopy this ballot, or print from the website, for the second voter). The results of the Annual Election of Officers and Directors will be officially ratified at the October 2007 meeting of the WOS Board. Terms of Elected Officers and Directors begin on October 1, 2007.

Please return your ballot by September 1, 2007.

STATEMENT I am a member in good standing. I hereby cast votes for Officers and Directors as shown on the reverse side.

_______________________________________ _________________

sign date

PLEASE VOTE, SIGN, FOLD, TAPE, STAMP, and MAIL

WASHINGTON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY ELECTIONS C/O MICHAEL HOBBS 13506 NE 66th ST KIRKLAND, WA 98033

Affix postage

here

PRESIDENT: RANDY HILL Randy grew up on the wet side of Northern California where wine country meets the redwood forest. After college (Humboldt State University), wanderings across most of the U.S. included extensions to Mexico and Australia. The job market presented short-term opportunities in CA, AZ and MN before longer stays in NM and ND. The last 17 years have been in the Potholes area of the Columbia Basin as the Wildlife Biologist at Columbia NWR, now part of the Mid-Columbia River NWR Complex. The Othello Sandhill Crane Festival has been his main activity commitment, organizing most of the lectures and field trips. Randy is the current WOS President, with lots of help from the Board handling Seattle-area responsibilities

PRESIDENT

Randy Hill

Other_____________

VICE-PRESIDENT: GENE HUNN Eugene "Gene" Hunn of Lake Forest Park. Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, University of Washington. Author of Tzeltal Folk Zoology (1977), Birding in Seattle and King County (1982), Nch'i-Wana "The Big River": Mid-Columbia Indians and Their Land (1990), and A Zapotec Natural History (2007). Got into birding 1967 in California and in Washington since 1972. President, Seattle Audubon Society 1988-1990; charter member of the Washington Bird Records Committee, serving through 1995. Currently WOS Vice-President.

VICE PRESIDENT

Gene Hunn

Other_____________

TREASURER: ROB FAUCETT Currently, Rob is the Collections Manager of Ornithology at the Burke Museum. He split his professional time between organizing and leading international research expeditions and maintaining the ornithological research collection. He grew up birding in southern California, then during college years in central Colorado, then graduate school in Louisiana where he birded locally but focused mainly on South America where he researched the evolution of voice in owls and antbirds. He currently lives in Seattle with his wife Kristin and daughter Nellie.

TREASURER

Rob Faucett

Other_____________

SECRETARY: KATHY ANDRICH I am a Washington native born in Renton. I have roosted in various spots in South King County for the majority of my life. When I took the beginning bird class from East Lake Washington Audubon Society in January 2001 I did not know at the time my life was going to change. The bird that hooked me: cedar waxwings. I have filled several volunteer positions for various birding organizations. I just completed a Washington State big year. I survived my first term as WOS Secretary and will run again this year, so don't forget to vote for Kathy for Secretary!

SECRETARY

Kathy Andrich

Other_____________

BOARD POSITION 2: CINDY MCCORMACK My past experiences include working in wildlife research for seven years after college, then moving into a job managing a veterinary hospital and leading the technical staff. I have always been a “bird-watcher,” but have considered myself a “birder” since about 1990. While in Spokane, I also served on the local Audubon board, and as an officer, newsletter editor, and co-taught the Audubon Spokane’s beginning bird identification workshop. I also volunteered for WDFW and BLM; surveying birds, netting bats, and banding at the Little Spokane River MAPS station. I have been serving as a WOS board member, based out of Spokane, for the last two years, and I am now looking forward to serving two more years, but now from the Yakima area.

BOARD POSITION 2

Cindy McCormack

Other_____________

BOARD POSITION 3: RON FRIESZ Ron is a native of Juntura, OR (Malheur Co.). He received a BS in Wildlife Management at Oregon State University, where classes in waterfowl, and ornithology generated a life-long love for birds and birding. Recently retired from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, he spent his 35-year career working out of the Ephrata Regional Office, a five-county area of central WA (Okanogan, Douglas, Grant, Adams and Franklin Counties). He was a member of the original Nongame Program and worked as a District Wildlife Biologist, Area Habitat Biologist and the State Waterfowl Specialist. He has extensive experience in management of birds of the shrub steppe and wetlands of eastern Washington. Besides birding, other interests include traveling, canoeing, camping, and fishing.

BOARD POSITION 3

Ron Friesz

Other_____________

BOARD POSITION 4: PATRICIA LOTT Audubon’s Birds of America was the reference Patricia and her family used to identify birds when she was a child in Iowa and Minnesota. She began to record her encounters with birds when a varied thrush in her Seattle yard caused her to reach for a field guide. Patricia hopes that her extensive background in nonprofits will prove useful to the WOS Board. She worked for nonprofits as a teacher, staff member, and as an independent contractor throughout her working life. In 1997, she received a Masters degree in Public Administration with a Non-Profit emphasis. Currently she serves on the Seattle Audubon Master Birder Committee, leads accessible field trips, and particularly enjoys birding east and west of the Cascades.

BOARD POSITION 4

Patricia Lott

Other_____________

2007 WASHINGTON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY BALLOT


Washington Field Notes October – November 2006 compiled by Tom Aversa

“Washington Field Notes” are gleaned from reports sent to Tom Aversa, Steve Mlodinow, [email protected], and to a lesser extent from birding hotlines and listserves. For corrections or information contact the compiler at [email protected] or 305 NW 75th St. Seattle WA. 98117.

Greater White-fronted Goose Reports included 18 at Kent King on 10/1 (KAn), 3 at Marymoor Park King from 10/4 to 11/30 (MiH), 7 at Bennington Lake Walla Walla on 10/7 (MD,MLD), 17 at Renton King on 10/14 (EH), 18 at Woodland Cowlitz on 10/14 (RKo), 2 at Two Rivers CP Benton from 10/16 to 11/30 (DR), 4 at Brooks Lake Grant on 10/28 (GiS), 3 at Seattle King on 10/29 (JBr) with 6 there to 11/30, 2 at Dungeness Clallam on 11/2 (TAv), 1 at Fir Island Skagit on 11/4 (SM), 2 at Stevenson Skamania from 11/4 to 11/24 (SJ), 1 Tule type at Edmonds Snohomish from 11/4 to 11/10 (SM,DD), 7 at Lower Crab Creek Grant on 11/7 (RH), 8 at Ridgefield NWR Clark on 11/8 (TAv), 1 at Reardan Lincoln on 11/12 (GiS), 10 at Ocean Shores Grays Harbor on 11/19 (CWr,RSh), 13 at Carnation King on 11/19 (EH), and 1 at Sprague Lake Adams on 11/19 (GiS). Snow Goose Reports away from nw WA included 1 at Silverdale Kitsap on 10/2 and 10/11 (NL), 1 at Bottle Beach Grays Harbor on 10/7 (PS,RS), 1 at Spring Canyon Lincoln on 10/15 (DSc), 60 at Sprague Lake Adams/Lincoln on 10/20 with 100 there on 10/31 (JA), 700 at Paterson Slough Benton on 10/20 (HB), 2 at Dungeness Clallam from 10/26 (BN) to 11/2 (RR), 16 at Brooks Lake Grant on 10/28 (GiS), 2 at Steigerwald Lake NWR Clark from 10/29 to 11/29 (WC), 45 over Tacoma Pierce on 10/29 (CSc), 1 at Ridgefield NWR Clark on 11/2 and 11/29 (BlC), 1 at Bainbridge Island Kitsap on 11/6 (BWg), 1 at Lower Crab Creek Grant on 11/7 (RH), 7 at Vancouver Lowlands Clark on 11/8 (TAv), 1 at Ocean Shores Grays Harbor from 11/16 (PS,RS) to 11/19 (CWr,RSh), and 1 at Carnation King from 11/19 to 11/30 (EH). “Blue” Goose Rare in WA. 1 at Fir Island Skagit on 11/4 with at least 8 separate individuals there by 11/18 (SM), and 3 south of Conway Skagit on 11/23 (TAv). Ross’s Goose Rare in WA. 1 at Othello Adams on 10/14 (RFl), and 1 at McNary NWR Walla Walla on 11/27 (MD,MLD). Emperor Goose Rare in WA. 1 immature at Vancouver Lowlands Clark from 10/28 (WC) to11/11 (fide SM), and 1 immature west of Ferndale Whatcom on 11/11 and 11/12 (fide JMe).

Brant Uncommon away from coast. 1 immature at Kent King from 10/25 (DSw) to 10/29 (MaB). Cackling Goose Notable reports included 470 at Ridgefield NWR Clark on 10/2 with 17,350 there on 10/30 (JE), 1 at Sprague Lake Lincoln on 10/30 (GiS), 600 at Columbia NWR Grant on 10/31 (RH), 1 apparent “Richardson’s” at Park Lake Grant on 11/8 (DGr), 2 apparent “Aleutians” at Ocean Shores Grays Harbor on 11/18 (PS,RS) and 11/19 (CWr,RSh), 1 at Bateman Island Benton on 11/19 (BLa,NLa), 22 at Moses Lake Grant on 11/25 (SM), 6 apparent “Richardson’s” at Steamboat Rock SP Grant on 11/25 (SM), and 350 at Marymoor Park King on 11/28 (MiH). “Dusky” Canada Goose Reports included 12 at Ridgefield NWR Clark on 10/16 with 366 on 10/26 and 200 there on 11/27 (JE), 5 at Brady Loop Road Grays Harbor on 11/16 (PS,RS), and 2 at Ocean Shores Grays Harbor on 11/19 (CWr,RSh). Tundra Swan Early reports included 1 at Reardan Lincoln on 10/6 (RL), 36 at Ridgefield NWR Clark on 10/26 (JE), and 24 at Steigerwald Lake NWR Clark on 10/30 (WC). Trumpeter Swan Early for WA: 1 at Lyman Skagit from September to 10/21 (GB). Uncommon in e WA: 2 at Bennington Lake Walla Walla on 10/7 (MD,MLD), 1 at Sprague Lake Lincoln on 10/30 (GiS), 2 at Lake Lenore Grant on 11/5 (DSc), 1 at Lower Crab Creek Grant on 11/7 (RH), 2 at Turnbull NWR Spokane on 11/9 (CrC), 2 at Reardan Lincoln on 11/12 (GiS), 3 at Banks Lake Grant on 11/25 (SM,DSc), and 1 at Yakima Yakima on 11/30 (DGr). Mute Swan Rare in WA. 1 at Steigerwald Lake NWR Clark from September to 11/30 (WC). Green-winged Teal High count: 3200 near Stanwood Snohomish on 11/16 (TAv). Mallard High counts: 40,000 at Padilla Bay Skagit on 11/4 (SM), and 32,560 at Wanapum Kittitas on 11/16 (fide RH). Gadwall X Mallard Rarely reported. 1 at Vashon Island King on 11/12 (EH). Northern Pintail High counts: 13,000 at Padilla Bay Skagit on 11/4 (SM), and 7780 at Ridgefield NWR Clark on 11/27 (JE). Blue-winged Teal Late reports included 1 at Turnbull NWR Spokane on 10/4 (MWo), 2 near Stanwood Snohomish on 10/4 (TAv), and 1 at Bennington Lake Walla Walla on 10/7 (MD,MLD). Cinnamon Teal Late reports included 3 at Turnbull NWR Spokane on 10/10 (CrC), and 4 at Ridgefield NWR Clark on 11/27 (JE) with 3 there on 11/30 (KK). Northern Shoveler High count: 890 at Ridgefield NWR Clark on 11/27 (JE).

Gadwall High counts: 1000 reported at Bottle Beach Grays Harbor on 10/27 (KuG), and 300 at Wanapum Kittitas on 11/16 (fide RH). Eurasian Wigeon Uncommon in e WA. 1 male at Bingen Klickitat on 11/3 (SJ). American Wigeon High counts: 7595 at Wanapum Kittitas on 11/16 (fide RH), and 20,000 at Everett Snohomish on 11/23 (SM). Canvasback High count: 262 at McNary NWR Walla Walla on 11/17 (MD,MLD). Redhead High count: 1520 near Bridgeport Douglas on 11/15 (fide RH). Uncommon in w WA. 2 at Union Bay King on 10/29 (JBr), 1 at Ocean Shores Grays Harbor on 11/8 (PS,RS), 1 at Kent King on 11/23 (CWr), and 1 at Sequim Clallam on 11/26 (SA). Ring-necked Duck High counts: 1826 near Bridgeport Douglas on 11/16 (fide RH), and 1385 at Everett Snohomish on 11/23 (SM). Scaup sp. High count: 11,830 at Wanapum Kittitas on 11/16 (fide RH). Harlequin Duck Uncommon locally. 2 at Ocean Shores Grays Harbor on 11/4 (PS,RS). Long-tailed Duck Uncommon away from coast. 1 female at Union Bay King on 10/29 (JBr), and 1 female at Steigerwald Lake NWR Clark from 11/24 to 11/29 (WC). Surf Scoter Uncommon in e WA. 1 at Columbia NWR Grant on 10/16 (RH), 1 at West Medical Lake Spokane on 10/19 (CrC) and 10/20 (JA), 1 at Clarkston Asotin on 10/20 (fide KK), 1 at Granite Lake Spokane on 10/26 (MWo), 1 at Park Lake Grant on 10/28 (GiS), 1 at Bingen Klickitat on 10/28 (SJ), and 1 at Vantage Kittitas on 11/1 (TAv) and 11/19 (AS). White-winged Scoter Uncommon in e WA. 1 at Sprague STP Lincoln on 10/26 (MWo), and 1 adult male at Park Lake Grant from 11/3 (BS) to 11/10 (BWg,GG). Hooded Merganser X Common Goldeneye Rarely reported. 1 male photographed near Cathlamet Wahkiakum on 11/6 (GuM). Bufflehead High counts: 620 at Sequim Bay Clallam on 11/9 (EKr), and 625 at Wanapum Kittitas on 11/16 (fide RH). Hooded Merganser High count: 250 at Banks Lake Grant on 11/25 (SM). Common Merganser High count: 800 at Banks Lake Grant on 11/25 (SM). Red-breasted Merganser Uncommon in e WA. 2 at Banks Lake Grant on 10/15 with 54 there on 11/25 (DSc), 2 at Bateman Island Benton from 10/23 to 11/4 (fide BLa), 1 at Sprague Lake Adams/Lincoln on 10/30 (GiS) with 2 there on 11/3 (TLi), 1 at Blue Lake Grant from 11/3 (BS) to 11/5 (DSc), and 1 near Chattaroy Spokane on 11/3 (TLi). Chukar High count: 40 at Vantage Kittitas on 11/1 (TAv). Spruce Grouse Reports included 2 males nw of Copper Butte Ferry on 10/3, 1 female

Washington Field Notes October—November 2006


at ~4000’ near Taylor Ridge Ferry on 10/4 (WaW), and 1 female at Ahtanum Creek Yakima on 10/7 (RH). White-tailed Ptarmigan Only report: 5 at Table Mountain Whatcom on 10/3 (GAl,SAl). Mountain Quail Uncommon and local: 3 north of Elma Grays Harbor on 10/13 (TO). Pacific Loon High count: 236 at Luhr Beach Thurston on 10/20 (HuK). Uncommon in e WA. 1 at Liberty Lake Spokane from 10/15 (MWo) to 10/26 (CrC), 1 at Potholes Grant on 10/20 (RH), 1 at Granite Lake Spokane on 10/26 (MWo), 1 at Sprague Lake Lincoln on 10/30 (GiS), 1 at Two Rivers CP Benton from 11/1 to 11/30 (DR), 1 at Blue Lake Grant from 11/1 (BS) to 11/5 (DSc,MtD), 1 at Sacajawea SP Franklin on 11/4 (MD), 3 at Banks Lake Grant on 11/6 with 1 there on 11/25 (DSc), 1 at Bateman Island Benton on 11/19 (BLa), 1 at Wanapum Kittitas on 11/19 (AS), and 1 at Tum Tum Stevens on 11/29 (fide CrC). Yellow-billed Loon Uncommon in WA. 1 at Point Jefferson Kitsap from 10/17 to 11/30 (BWg), and 1 at Sinclair Inlet Kitsap from 11/24 to 11/30 (PS,RS). Pied-billed Grebe High count: 55 at Ridgefield NWR Clark on 10/26 (JE). Horned Grebe Uncommon locally. 2 at Ridgefield NWR Clark on 11/16 (BlC), 1 at Chehalis Valley Grays Harbor on 11/17 with 3 there on 11/24 (TO), and 12 at Yakima Yakima on11/30 (DGr). High count: 100 at Banks Lake Grant on 11/25 (SM). Red-necked Grebe Locally uncommon in e WA. 1 at Columbia NWR Grant on 10/4 (RH), 1 at Kennewick Benton on 10/17 (DR) and 11/4 (MD,MLD), 2 at Alkali Lake Grant on 10/28 (GiS), 1 at the Dalles Dam Klickitat on 10/29 and 11/4 (SJ), and 6 at Yakima Yakima on 11/30 (DGr). Eared Grebe Reports included 1 at Vantage Kittitas on 10/6 (BBe), 1 at Bainbridge Island Kitsap on 10/14 (GuM), 1 near Kennewick Benton on 10/22 (DR) with 2 there on 11/19 (BLa,NLa), 1 at Samish Island Skagit on 10/22 (GB) with 10 reported there on 11/5 (fide CWr), 4 at Hoquiam Grays Harbor on 10/26 (PS,RS) with 5 there on 11/19 (CWr,RSh), 2 at Oak Bay Jefferson on 10/26 (BN), 22 at Utsalady Bay Island on 10/28 (SM), 1 at Port Townsend Jefferson on 11/2, 1 at Point No Point Kitsap on 11/2 (TAv), 1 at Bingen Klickitat on 11/3 (SJ), 1 at American Lake Pierce on 11/5 (PS,RS), 80 at Soap Lake Grant on 11/5 (MiF), 1 at McNary NWR

Walla Walla on 11/17 (MD,MLD), 1 at Elwha RD Clallam on 11/18 (BN), 1 at Washougal Clark on 11/24 (WC), and 3 in Kitsap county Kitsap on 11/25 (PS,RS). Western Grebe High count: 3000 east of Suquamish Kitsap on 10/17 (BWg). Late reports for e WA included 200 at Sprague Lake Adams on 10/26 (JA), 25 at Lower Monumental Dam Walla Walla on 11/18 (DR), and 1 at Yakima Yakima on 11/30 (DGr). Clark’s Grebe Uncommon in w WA. 2 reported at Tokeland Pacific on 10/27 (KuG), 1 at Burien King on 10/29 (MaB), 1 at American Lake Pierce on 11/5 and 11/12, 1 at Magnuson Park King on 11/23 (PS,RS) and 11/24 (ST), 1 at Restoration Point Kitsap on 11/27 (BWg), and 1 reported at Sinclair Inlet Kitsap on 11/27 (PS,RS). Late e WA reports

included 1 at Vantage Kittitas on 10/28 (SDo), and 1 at Bateman Island Benton on 11/27 (NLa). Western X Clark’s Grebe Rarely reported. 1 at Carnation King on 10/8 (MaB). Leach’s Storm-Petrel Rare in Puget Sound. 1 off Edmonds Snohomish on 10/27 (BHg) and 10/29 (DD,SM), and 1 from the Seattle to Bainbridge ferry King on 11/20 (BWg). American White Pelican Late reports included 19 at McNary NWR Walla Walla on 11/17 (MD,MLD), and 27 at Ice Harbor Dam Franklin/Walla Walla on 11/18 (DR). Brown Pelican Late reports included many from Puget Sound where uncommon. 898 at Long Beach Pacific on 10/14 (MD,MLD), 2 at Case Inlet Pierce on 10/16 (PmB), 2 at Washington Park Skagit on 11/4 (HA), 1 at Edmonds Snohomish on 11/4 and 11/23 (DD), 1 at Discovery Park King on 11/5 (MtB), 1 at Bainbridge Island Kitsap from

11/9 to 11/28 (BWg), 1 at Fort Worden SP Jefferson on 11/11, 1 at Oak Bay CP Jefferson on 11/11 (PS,RS), 1 at Nisqually Thurston on 11/11 (KBd), 25 at Port Angeles Clallam on 11/16 (BoB) with 1 there on 11/18 (fide BN), 15 at Westport Grays Harbor on 11/16 (SMi), 5 at Vashon Island King on 11/18 (fide ESw), 1 at Point Roberts Whatcom on 11/19 (DP), 26 at Ocean Shores Grays Harbor on 11/20 (PS,RS), 1 at Lilliwaup Mason on 11/23 (fide BN), 1 at West Seattle King on 11/24 (CRi), and 1 at Point No Point Kitsap on 11/24 (VN). Great Egret Reports included 6 at Bay City Grays Harbor on 10/7 (PS,RS) with 4 on 10/30 and 3 there on 11/16 (SMi), 5 in Yakima RD area Benton on 10/14 (DR) with 8 there from 11/3 to 11/29 (fide BLa), 198 at Ridgefield NWR Clark on 10/26 (JE), 2 at

Warm Beach Snohomish on 10/28 (SM), 45 at Vancouver Lowlands Clark on 11/8, 15 at Woodland Cowlitz on 11/8 (TAv) with 31 there on 11/25 (RKo), 1 at Skamania Landing Skamania on 11/24 (KK), and 1 at McNary NWR Walla Walla on 11/27 (MD,MLD). Cattle Egret Uncommon in WA. 1 at Fir Island Skagit from 10/28 (SM) to 11/6 (MaB). Green Heron Late report: 1 at Lake Sacajawea Cowlitz on 11/27 (RKo). Black-crowned Night-Heron Uncommon and local in w WA. 1 flyover at Olympia Thurston on 10/21 (KBd). High count for e WA. 28 at Moses Lake Grant on 11/25 (SM). Turkey Vulture Locally uncommon. 2 near Pasco Franklin on 10/7 (fide BLa).

High counts included 300 at Hurricane Ridge Clallam on 10/1 (fide BN), and 147 at Belfair Mason on 10/2 (MHr). Osprey Late reports included 1 at Trout Lake Klickitat on 10/29 (fide SJ), 1 at Mill Creek Walla Walla on 10/29 (MD,MLD), 1 at Yakima RD Benton on 10/31 (BLa), 1 at Fir Island Skagit on 11/5 (DP), 1 at Pilchuck Snohomish on 11/12 (GAl,SAl), 1 at Elma Grays Harbor on 11/19 (CWr) and 11/20 (TO), 1 at Bainbridge Island Kitsap on 11/19 (BWg), 1 at Toppenish Yakima on 11/27 (fide DGr). White-tailed Kite Uncommon and local in WA. 1 at Brady Loop Road Grays Harbor from September to 10/26, 1 at Nisqually NWR Thurston on 10/5 and 11/5 (PS,RS), 2 at Barlow Point Cowlitz on 10/8, 5 at Willow Grove Cowlitz from 10/8 to 11/25 (RKo), 1 at Boisfort Lewis on 10/10 (fide SM), 2 at Chinook Valley Pacific on 10/17 (MPa), 7 at


Adult Northern Goshawk along the northwest slope of Jasper Mountain, Columbia, 11/18/2006. Photo by MerryLynn Denny.


Ridgefield NWR Clark from 10/23 (JE) to 11/30, and 2 at Lincoln Creek Lewis on 11/24 (PS,RS). RED-SHOULDERED HAWK Rare in WA. 1 at Ridgefield NWR Clark from September to at least 10/25 (JE), 1 at Kennedy Creek Mason on 10/22 (JBu), and 1 reported at Port Williams Clallam on 11/9 (EKr). “Harlan’s” Hawk Reports included 1 light intergrade at Brady Loop Road Grays Harbor from 10/17 (PS,RS) to 11/30 (TAv), 1 dark at Ridgefield NWR Clark from 10/25 to 11/30 (JE), 1 light at Westport Grays Harbor on 10/26 (PS,RS), 1 light at Beet Rd Walla Walla on 11/11 (MD,MLD), 1 dark at Fir Island Skagit on 11/16 (TAv), 1 dark at Sacajawea SP Franklin on 11/25 (DR), and 1 dark at Sun Lakes SP Grant on 11/25 (SM). Rough-legged Hawk Early reports included and 1 at Chelan Ridge Chelan on 10/5 (fide KeW), 1 at Marymoor Park King on 10/11 (MiH), and 1 at Chinook Pass Pierce/Yakima on 10/12 (PS,RS). Golden Eagle Uncommon in w WA. 1 adult at Coupeville Island on 10/30 (SEl). Merlin Reports for e WA included 1 at Bingen Klickitat on 10/10 (fide SJ), 1 at Lyons Ferry Franklin on 10/20, 1 at Ice Harbor Dam Franklin/Walla Walla on 10/28 (MD,MLD), 1 at Two Rivers CP Benton from 10/30 to 11/3 (DR), 1 at Washtucna Adams on 11/5 (MD,MLD), and 1 at Klickitat WMA Klickitat on 11/27 (fide SJ). Peregrine Falcon Reports for e WA included 1 Yakima RD Benton from 10/6 to 10/15 with 2 there on 11/15 (fide BLa), 2 at Soap Lake Grant on 10/6 (BBe) and 10/25 (DSc), 1 at Othello Adams on 10/12 (RFl), 1 at Wanapum Kittitas on 11/19 (AS), 1 at Banks Lake Grant on 11/25 (DSc), and 2 at Bingen Klickitat on 11/26 (SJ). Gyrfalcon Uncommon in WA. 1 trapped at Spokane Spokane on 11/6 (fide CrC), and 1 juvenile reported at Samish Flats Skagit on 11/11 (DaP). Prairie Falcon Uncommon in w WA. 1 at Sunrise in Mount Rainier NP Pierce from 10/1 (GW) to 10/4 (TAv), 1 at Ridgefield NWR Clark from at least 11/25 (WC) to 11/29 (BlC), and 2 reported at Chinook Pass Pierce/Yakima on 10/12 (PS,RS). Sandhill Crane Reports included 5 at 6250’ over Table Rock Columbia on 10/1 (MD), 1845 at Royal Lake Grant on 10/3 (RH), 1146 at Ridgefield NWR Clark on 10/10 (JE), 1 at Brady Loop Road Grays Harbor on 10/17

(PS,RS), 3 over North Seattle King on 10/29 with 5 there on 11/14 (fide TAv), 2 on Guemes Island Skagit from 10/31 to 11/4 (fide ThA), and 1 sw of Walla Walla Walla Walla on 11/24 (fide MD). Black-bellied Plover Uncommon in e WA. 7 at Potholes Grant on 10/7, 1 at Soap Lake Grant from 10/7 to 10/15 (DSc), 1 at Eloika Lake Spokane on 10/8 (TLi), 2 at Walla Walla RD Walla Walla on 10/9 (MD,MLD), and 1 at Ice Harbor Dam Franklin/Walla Walla on 10/28 (MD,MLD). American Golden-Plover Reports included 1 at Bottle Beach Grays Harbor from 10/15 (CWr) to 10/27 (KuG), 1 at Ocean Shores Grays Harbor on 10/22 (PS,RS), and 1 at Samish Island Skagit on 10/28 (fide ThA). Pacific Golden-Plover Reports included 5

at Bottle Beach Grays Harbor on 10/2 with 2 on 10/17 (PS,RS) and 1 there on 10/21 (BT), 3 at Ocean Shores Grays Harbor on 10/22 with 1 there from 11/16 (PS,RS) to 11/19 (CWr), 1 at Samish Island Skagit on 10/28 (fide ThA), and 1 at Samish Flats Skagit on 11/16 (TAv). Golden-Plover sp. Reports included 1 at Brady Loop Road Grays Harbor on 11/16 (PS,RS). Snowy Plover Uncommon and local in WA. 5 at Midway Beach Pacific on 10/2 with 32 reported on 10/17 (PS,RS) and 8 there on 11/26 (BN). Semipalmated Plover Uncommon away from outer coast in late fall. 1 Potholes Grant on 10/22 (DSc), and 1 at Brady Loop Road Grays Harbor on 11/16 (PS,RS). Killdeer High counts: 80 at Norman Snohomish on 10/26 (TAv), and 85 at Yakima RD Benton on 10/31 (BLa,NLa).

Black Oystercatcher High counts: 28 at Lopez Island San Juan on 10/7 (NZ), 28 at Sucia Island San Juan on 10/29 (MtD), and 38 near Hawk Point Skagit on 10/29 (GB). American Avocet Late for WA. 1 at Bennington Lake Walla Walla from 11/8 to 11/15 (MD,MLD). Greater Yellowlegs High count: 100 at Bottle Beach Grays Harbor on 10/14 (MaB). Lesser Yellowlegs Late reports included 19 at Stanwood STP Snohomish on 10/15 (SM), 9 near Stanwood Snohomish on 10/26 (TAv), 3 at Ridgefield NWR Clark on 11/3 (JE), and 1 at Norman Snohomish on 11/23 (TAv). Willet Uncommon and local in WA. 17 at Tokeland Pacific on 10/26 (PS,RS), and 1 at Kennedy Creek Mason from 11/13 to 11/18 (JBu). Wandering Tattler Late for WA. 1 at

Tokeland Pacific on 11/7 (DR). Spotted Sandpiper Late reports included 3 at Tacoma Pierce on 11/5 (PS,RS), 1 at Ocean Shores Grays Harbor on 11/8 (DR), and 1 at Magnuson Park King on 11/26 (JB). BAR-TAILED GODWIT Rare in WA. 1 adult at Westport Grays Harbor from September (MtD) to 10/26 (PS,RS). Marbled Godwit Uncommon locally. 1 near Stanwood Snohomish on 11/4 (SM). Ruddy Turnstone Reports included 1 at Bottle Beach Grays Harbor on 10/18 (EHu), and 1 at Bainbridge Island Kitsap on 11/4 (BWg). Surfbird Uncommon locally. 1 near Hawk Point Skagit on 10/29 (GB). Red Knot High count: 30

reported at Bottle Beach Grays Harbor on 10/7 (PS,RS). Western Sandpiper Late for e WA: 1 reported at Iowa Beef Walla Walla on 11/4 (MD,MLD). Least Sandpiper Late reports for e WA included 2 at Walla Walla RD Walla Walla on 11/17 (MD,MLD), 2 at Scooteney Reservoir Franklin on 11/18 (DR), 20 at Yakima RD Benton on 11/20 (BW), and 3 at Soap Lake Grant on 11/25 (SM,DSc). Baird’s Sandpiper Late report: 1 at Colville STP Stevens on 10/1 (GiS). Pectoral Sandpiper Late reports included 1 at Yakima RD Benton on 10/30 (LN), and 1 at Iowa Beef Walla Walla on 11/4 (MD,MLD). Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Uncommon in WA. 2 at Stanwood STP Snohomish on 10/2 (BLe) with 1 there on 10/11 (TAv,SGe), 1 near Stanwood Snohomish from 10/3 (MaB) to 11/4 (SM), 2 at Nisqually NWR Thurston on


Rock Sandpiper, Ocean Shores Jetty, Grays Harbor, 10/22/2006. Photo by Patrick Sullivan


10/11 (SMi), 1 at Dungeness Clallam on 10/20 (GuM), 1 at Yakima RD Benton from 10/30 to 11/3 (LN), and 1 at Ocean Shores Grays Harbor on 11/7 (DR). Rock Sandpiper Reports included 2 at Ocean Shores Grays Harbor on 10/22 (PS,RS) with 1 there on 10/27 (KuG), 8 at Westport Grays Harbor on 10/25 (CJG) with 1 there on 11/7 (DR), and 2 off Restoration Point Kitsap on 11/6 with 3 there on 11/18 (BWg). Dunlin Uncommon locally. 1 at Peone Spokane on 10/30, and 1 at Philleo Lake Spokane on 11/8 (MWo). High count for inland location: 5000 near Snohomish Snohomish on 11/23 (SM). Stilt Sandpiper Reports included 1 at Stanwood STP Snohomish on 10/2 (BLe), 1 near Stanwood Snohomish from 10/11 (TAv,SGe) to 10/28 (SM) and 1 near Cheney Spokane on 10/14 (CrC). RUFF Rare in WA. 1 juvenile at Bottle Beach Grays Harbor from 10/2 (PS,RS) to 10/18 (EHu), and 1 adult male reported at Blyn Clallam on 10/17 (EKr). Short-billed Dowitcher Late for WA. 1 at Soap Lake Grant on 10/15 (DSc), and 1 near Stanwood Snohomish on 10/28 (SM). Long-billed Dowitcher Reports included 167 at Yakima RD Benton on 10/17 (NLa), 280 at Ridgefield NWR Clark on 11/3 (JE), 635 near Stanwood Snohomish on 11/4 (SM), 2 at Philleo Lake Spokane on 11/8 (MWo), and 135 near Snohomish Snohomish on 11/23 (SM). Red-necked Phalarope Late for WA. 1 photographed at Brady Loop Road Grays Harbor on 11/16 (PS,RS). Pomarine Jaeger Late for WA. 1 subadult reported at Fort Worden SP Jefferson on 11/11 (PS,RS), and 1 adult at Westport Grays Harbor on 11/12 (NB). Parasitic Jaeger Late reports included 2 at Long Beach Pacific on 10/17 (MPa), 1 at Discovery Park King on 11/5 (MtB,EH), 1 at Nisqually Reach Thurston on 11/11 (KBd), and 1 off Washington Park Skagit on 11/18 (MaB). Jaeger sp. Getting late for either large species. 1 at Point No Point Kitsap on 11/11 (BWg,GG). Franklin’s Gull Uncommon in WA. Late reports included 1 at Foulweather Bluff Kitsap on 10/3 (BWg), 1 at Vashon Island King on 10/15 (EH,MiH), 1 at Everett STP Snohomish on 10/23 (DD), and 1 at Bainbridge Island Kitsap from 11/21 to 11/27 (BWg).

Bonaparte’s Gull High count: 3000 at Point No Point Kitsap on 10/6 (VN). Reports for e WA included 12 at Columbia NWR Grant on 10/1 (NW), 2 at Lyle Klickitat from 10/7 to10/21 (SJ), 30 at Usk Pend Oreille on 10/9 (GiS), 1 at West Medical Lake Spokane on 10/19 (fide CrC), 30 at Sprague Lake Adams/Lincoln on 10/30 (GiS) with 1 there on 11/10 (JA), 100 at Yakima RD Benton on 10/30 (LN), 70 at Banks Lake Grant on 11/6 with 30 there on 11/11 (DSc), 3 at Turnbull NWR Spokane on 11/9 (CrC), 1 at Blue Lake Grant on 11/10 (BWg,GG), and 4 at Moses Lake Grant on 11/25 (DSc). Heermann’s Gull Rare in e WA. 1 adult at Lyle Klickitat on 11/14 (SJ,BHa). A high number of late w WA reports included 500 at North Cove Pacific on 10/22 (CWr), 150 at Port Angeles Clallam on 11/2 (TAv) with 85

there on 11/16 (BoB), 25 at Ocean Shores Grays Harbor on 11/4 (PS,RS), 50 at Elwha RM Clallam on 11/10 (BS), 1 at Discovery Park King on 11/10 (EH), 15 at Point Wilson Jefferson on 11/11 (PS,RS), 2 at Bainbridge Island Kitsap on 11/25 (BWg), and 1 at Point No Point Kitsap on 11/27 (VN). Mew Gull Uncommon in e WA. 1 at Lyle Klickitat on 10/29 with 2 there on 11/14 (SJ), 1 at Blue Lake Grant on 11/10 (BWg,GG), and 1 at Electric City Grant on 11/25 (SM). Thayer’s Gull Uncommon in e WA. 3 at Blue Lake Grant on 11/5 (MtD) with 10 there on 11/10 (BWg,GG), 2 at Banks Lake Grant on 11/25, 3 at Moses Lake Grant on 11/25, and 1 at Park Lake Grant on 11/25 (SM,DSc). LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Rare in e WA. 1 adult at Lake Lenore Grant on 10/18 (TAv) was found later at Blue Lake Grant from 11/1 (BS) to 11/5 (DSc,MiF). Glaucous Gull Early reports included 1 at

Neah Bay Clallam on 10/24 (DWh), 1 at Hoquiam Grays Harbor on 11/4 (PS,RS) and 11/19 (CWr), and 1 at Yakima RD Benton on 11/29 (NLa). ICELAND GULL Rare in e WA. 1 reported at Blue Lake Grant on 11/5 (DSc). Black-legged Kittiwake Rare away from outer coast. 1 at Edmonds King on 10/27 (TP), and 1 immature near Meadows Thurston on 11/26 (fide BT). Sabine’s Gull Uncommon in e WA. 1 late immature at Columbia NWR Grant on 10/1 (NW). Caspian Tern Late for WA. 8 at Tokeland Pacific on 10/26 (PS,RS) and 1 reported at Vantage Kittitas on 10/28 (SDo). Forster’s Tern Rare in w WA. 2 at Edmonds King from September to 10/1 (CWr) with 1 there to 10/9 (DD). Late for e

WA. 1 at Walla Walla RD Walla Walla on 10/9 (MD,MLD). Common Murre High count: 500 east of Suquamish Kitsap on 10/17 (BWg). Ancient Murrelet Rare in e WA. 1 found in a backyard at Yakima Yakima on 11/28 (DGr). Reports for w WA included 6 at Discovery Park King on 10/25 (RL), 1 at Bainbridge Island Kitsap on 10/28 (BWg), 5 at Edmonds Snohomish on 10/29 with 25 there on 11/9 (SM), 50 at Fort Flagler Jefferson on 11/11 (PS,RS), and 6 at Washington Park Skagit on 11/25 (GB). Mourning Dove High counts included 55 at Brady Loop Road Grays Harbor on 11/4 (PS,RS), and 350 sw of Toledo Lewis on 11/26 (RKo).

EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE Exploding increases in numbers of this formerly rare species included 8 at Desert Aire Yakima from September to 11/30 (DGr), 5 at Fairfield Spokane from September to 11/30 (MWo,RoW), 1 at Basin City Grant on 10/3 (RH), 16 at Davenport Lincoln on 10/5 (JA), 1 at Goldendale Klickitat on 10/6 (DLw), 8 at Mansfield Douglas on 10/29 (MSp), 18 at Washtucna Adams on 11/5 (MD,MLD), and 2 at Stanwood Snohomish on 11/5 (KAn). Snowy Owl Early reports included 1 at Three Lakes Snohomish on 10/2 (PtS), 1 at Blaine Whatcom on 11/19 (JMe) to 11/25 (MaB), 1 near Reardan Lincoln from 11/24 (fide CrC) to 11/28 (TdM), and 1 east of Davenport Lincoln on 11/29 (JA). Spotted Owl Locally rare. 1 reportedly heard north of Battle Ground Clark on 10/28 (TSz).

Black Turnstone, Alki, West Seattle, King, 11/5/2006. Photo by Ollie Oliver.



Barred Owl Uncommon locally. 1 at Tieton Yakima on 11/19, and 1 at Selah Yakima on 11/24 (fide DGr). Long-eared Owl Uncommon in w WA. 1 found dead in a barn near Stanwood Snohomish on 11/23 (TAv). Short-eared Owl Reports included 1 at Cusick Pend Oreille on 10/8 (GiS), 1 at Marymoor Park King from 10/18 to 11/29 (MiH), 1 at Discovery Park King on 10/21 (DdW), 1 at Foulweather Bluff Kitsap on 11/3 (BWg), 1 at Dungeness Clallam on 11/4 and 11/7 (fide BN), 1 at Ocean Shores Grays Harbor on 11/9 (DR), 1 east of Lyman Skagit on 11/9 (GB), and 1 at Montlake Fill King on 11/25 (fide TAv). Boreal Owl Reports of birds heard included 1 at Sunrise in Mount Rainier NP Pierce on 10/4 (TAv), 5 at Salmo Pass Pend Oreille on 10/7 (BBe,RL), 1 at Ahtanum Creek Yakima on 10/7 (DGr) with 3 there on 10/31 (AS), and 2 at Chinook Pass Pierce/Yakima on 10/12 with 3 there on 10/20 (PS,RS). Anna’s Hummingbird Reports from expanded range included 1 at Richland Benton from September to 11/30 (LHi), 3 at Anacortes Skagit from September to 11/30, 1 at Camano Island Island on 10/1 (fide ThA), 1 at Walla Walla Walla Walla on 10/4 (fide MD), 1 at Clayton Beach Skagit on 10/22 (fide ThA), 1 at Tokeland Pacific on 10/26 (PS,RS), 5 in Yakima Yakima during November (fide DGr), 2 at Vancouver Clark on 11/4 (KK), 1 at Skyline Skagit on 11/11 (fide ThA), and 1 at Port Angeles Clallam on 11/12 (fide BN). Rufous Hummingbird Late for WA. 1 reported at Bonney Lake Pierce on 10/18 (VB), and 1 reported at Olympia Thurston on 11/24 (fide TAv). Acorn Woodpecker Rare in WA. 1 female photographed at Quinault River Jefferson on 10/3 (fide RHo). Red-breasted Sapsucker Uncommon in e WA. 1 at White Salmon Klickitat on 11/11 (SJ). Downy Woodpecker Race rarely reported from e WA. 1 grayish individual probably P. p. turati photographed at Grand Coulee Grant on 11/25 (SM). Hairy Woodpecker Uncommon in Columbia Basin. 1 at Kennewick Benton on 11/15 (fide BLa). American Three-toed Woodpecker Reports included 2 at Ahtanum Creek Yakima on 10/12 (RH), 1 at Government

Meadow King on 10/20 (MiH), 1 at Chinook Pass Pierce/Yakima on 10/20 (PS,RS), and 2 at Hart’s Pass Okanogan/Whatcom on 10/22 (GAl,SAl). Black-backed Woodpecker Uncommon in WA. 2 at Ahtanum Creek Yakima from 10/5 to 10/12 (RH), and 1 male at Elk Heights Kittitas on 11/1 (TAv). “Yellow-shafted” Flicker Reports included 1 at Lakewood Pierce on 10/6 (RNe), and 1 near Joyce Clallam on 11/5 (fide BN). Least Flycatcher Late for WA. 1 reported at Washtucna Adams on 10/8 (MD,MLD). BLACK PHOEBE Rare in WA. 1 at Puget Island Wahkiakum on 11/1 (fide CWr). TROPICAL KINGBIRD Rare in WA. 1 at Magnuson Park King from 11/16 (DP,EH) to 11/24 (ST). TROPICAL/COUCH’S KINGBIRD

Rare in WA. 2 silent birds at Tokeland Pacific on 10/24 (HuK). Northern Shrike Early reports included 1 at Kent King on 10/1 (KAn), 1 singing above Sunrise in Mount Rainier NP Pierce on 10/4 (TAv), 1 at Marymoor Park King on 10/11 (MiH), 1 at Chinook Pass Pierce/Yakima on 10/14 (PS,RS), and 1 at Hart’s Pass Okanogan/Whatcom on 10/22 (GAl,SAl). Loggerhead Shrike Late reports included 1 at Lake Lenore Grant on 11/5 (MtD,MiF), 3 at Columbia NWR Adams/Grant on 11/7 with 1 there to 11/30 (RH), 1 at Kennewick Benton on 11/10 (BLa), and 1 at Jameson Lake Douglas on 11/25 (AS). Blue Jay Uncommon in WA. 2 at Cheney Spokane from 10/1 to 10/19, 1 at Indian Canyon Spokane on 10/12 (fide CrC), 2 at Guemes Island Skagit from 10/17 to 10/23 (fide ThA), 1 reported near Prosser Benton from 11/8 to 11/15 (fide BLa), and 1 at

Anacortes Skagit from 11/12 to 11/30 (fide ThA). Western Scrub-Jay Reports from expanded range included 1 at Morse Creek Bluff Clallam from September to 10/14 (JMu), 1 at Wiley City Yakima on 10/12 (fide DGr), and 2 at Hoquiam Grays Harbor on 10/26 (PS,RS). Common Raven Rare locally. 2 at Discovery Park King on 11/4 (JBt). Horned Lark Uncommon in w WA lowlands. 12 at Ocean Shores Grays Harbor on 10/29 (CWr), 1 at Marymoor Park King on 11/1 (MiH), and 10 at Kalama Cowlitz on 11/25 (RKo). Northern Rough-winged Swallow Extremely late for WA. 1 at Bateman Island Benton on 11/19 (BLa,NLa). Barn Swallow Late reports included 1 at West Medical Lake Spokane on 10/20 (JA), 1

at Hoquiam Grays Harbor on 10/26 (PS,RS), 1 at Yakima RD Benton on 11/4 (MD,MLD), and 1 at Fir Island Skagit on 11/23 (MaB). Mountain Chickadee Rare in lowlands. 1 at Yakima Yakima from 11/8 to 11/30 with 1 at a nearby location on 11/19 (fide DGr). Chestnut-backed Chickadee Unusual locations. 1 at 6700’ near Frozen Lake in Mount Rainier NP Pierce on 10/4 (TAv), and 1 at Yakima Yakima from 11/24 to 11/30 (fide DGr). Boreal Chickadee Only report: 2 near Bunchgrass Meadow Pend Oreille on 10/7 (BBe,RL). Bushtit Uncommon and local in e WA. 20 at Teanaway Kittitas on 10/5 (DP), and 12 at Bingen

Klickitat on 11/26 (SJ). Red-breasted Nuthatch Reports from e WA lowlands scarce. 2 at Othello Adams from September to 11/30 (RH). Brown Creeper Columbia Plateau reports included 1 at Richland Benton on 10/7 (LHi), 1 at Washtucna Adams on 10/8 (MD,MLD), 1 at Two Rivers CP Benton on 10/26 (DR), 3 at Davenport Lincoln on 10/28 (GiS), and 1 at Sacajawea SP Franklin on 11/22 (fide BLa). Rock Wren Rare in w WA. 1 at Indian Island Jefferson on 11/18 (DoW). House Wren Late for WA. 1 at Bainbridge Island Kitsap on 10/29 (BWg), and 1 reported in a Tacoma greenhouse Pierce on 11/30 (GnS). Winter Wren Columbia Plateau reports included 2 at Ephrata Grant on 10/18 (TAv), 1 at College Place Walla Walla on 10/19 (MD,MLD), 3 at Two Rivers CP Benton on 10/27 (DR), 3 at Vantage Kittitas on 11/1

Surfbird, Alki, West Seattle, King, 11/5/2006. Photo by Ollie Oliver.



(TAv), and 1 at Sun Lakes SP Grant on 11/25 (SM). Western Bluebird Migrant reports included 7 at Bonney Lake Pierce from 10/7 to 10/11 (CWr), 6 at Elma Grays Harbor on 10/13 (TO), 11 at South Prairie Pierce on 10/13 (CWr), 5 at Woodland Cowlitz on 10/14 (RKo), 1 at Kent King on 10/14 (CWr), 4 west of Sequim Clallam on 10/22 (fide BoB), 5 at Horn Rapids Benton on 11/4 (fide BLa), 7 at the Dalles Dam Klickitat on 11/9 (SJ), 15 at Philleo Lake Spokane on 11/14 (CrC), and 4 at Bingen Klickitat on 11/26 (SJ). Mountain Bluebird Reports included 25 at Sunrise in Mount Rainier NP Pierce on 10/1 (GW), 1 at Columbia NWR Adams on 10/20 (RH), and 4 at Jasper Mountain Columbia on 11/18 (MD,MLD). Townsend’s Solitaire Uncommon in w WA lowlands. 1 at Vashon Island King on 10/9 (fide ESw). American Pipit Late e WA reports included 150 at Columbia NWR Adams on 10/20 (RH), and 75 at Frog Hollow Walla Walla on 11/11 (MD,MLD). Bohemian Waxwing Rare in w WA. 1 west of Mount Vernon Skagit on 11/29 (StL). Early reports for e WA included 10 near Copper Butte Ferry on 10/3 (WaW), 1 at College Place Walla Walla on 10/18 (MD,MLD), 1 at Washtucna Adams on 10/20 (RH), 60 near River Bend Airport Pend Oreille on 10/27, and 3 at Sullivan Lake Pend Oreille on 10/27 (MWo). Yellow Warbler Late reports included 1 near Stanwood Snohomish on 10/4 (TAv), 2 at Bottle Beach Grays Harbor on 10/5 (PS, RS), and 1 at Magnuson Park King on 10/7 (JB). Black-throated Gray Warbler Late report: 1 at Tokeland Pacific on 10/10 (PS,RS). Palm Warbler Uncommon in WA. 1 at Bottle Beach Grays Harbor from 10/7 (PS,RS) to 10/22 (CWr), 1 at Ocean Shores Grays Harbor on 10/7 (SDo) with 3 there from 11/19 (CWr,RSh) to 11/26 (EH), and 1 at Columbia Hills Klickitat on 10/21 (SJ), Northern Waterthrush Uncommon migrant in WA. 1 at Kennewick Benton on 10/4 (DR,NO). Common Yellowthroat Late reports included 1 at Brady Loop Road Grays Harbor on 11/8 (PS,RS), and 1 at South Prairie Pierce on 11/24 (CWr). Western Tanager Late report: 1 at Everett Snohomish on 10/21 (SM). Green-tailed Towhee Rare in w WA. 1 at Kent King on 10/2 (EH,MtB).

American Tree Sparrow Early reports included 1 at Turnbull NWR Spokane from 10/14 to 10/17 (CrC,MWo), 1 at Lyons Ferry Franklin on 10/20 (MD,MLD), 1 at Cusick Pend Oreille on 10/27 (GiS,MWo), 11 at Espanola Spokane on 10/27 (JA), and 1 at Sprague Lake Lincoln on 10/30 (GiS). Chipping Sparrow Late for location. 3 at Sunrise in Mount Rainier NP Pierce on 10/4 (TAv). Clay-colored Sparrow Uncommon in WA. 1 Marymoor Park King from September to 10/7 MaB,MiH Sage Sparrow Late report: 1 at ALES Benton on 10/3 (NLa,LHi). Grasshopper Sparrow Rare in w WA. 1 immature at Ebey Island Snohomish on 10/21 (SM). Fox Sparrow Reports included 32 at Bottle

Beach Grays Harbor 10/2 (PS,RS), 1 slate-colored at Sunrise in Mount Rainier NP Pierce on 10/4 (TAv), 1 sooty at Ahtanum Creek Yakima on 10/9 (RH), 1 at Hood Park Walla Walla on 10/28 (MD,MLD), 6 at Robinson Canyon Kittitas on 11/1, 1 at Vantage Kittitas on 11/1 (TAv), 4 at Bates Road Klickitat on 11/14, and 2 sooties at Bingen Klickitat on 11/26 (fide SJ). “Red” Fox Sparrow Rare in WA. 1 at Olympia Thurston from 11/11 to 11/18 (KBd). Swamp Sparrow Uncommon in WA. 1 reported at Cusick Pend Oreille on 10/8 (fide GiS), 1 at Turnbull NWR Spokane on 10/15 (MWo,RoW), 2 at South Prairie Pierce from 10/21 to 11/26 (CWr), 1 at Ebey Island Snohomish on 10/21, 1 at Skagit WMA Skagit on 10/28 (SM), 1 at Nisqually NWR Thurston on 11/18 (RSh), 2 at Priest Rapids Yakima on 11/19 (AS), 1 at Carnation King on 11/22

(TAv), and 1 at Ridgefield NWR Clark on 11/27 (KK). White-throated Sparrow Reports included 1 at Olympia Thurston on 10/2 (KBd), 1 at Marymoor Park King from 10/4 to 11/29 (MiH), 1 west of Grand Coulee Douglas on 10/7 (DSc), 1 at Wahkiacus Klickitat on 10/7 (SJ), 1 at Konnowoc Pass Yakima on 10/10 (fide DGr), 1 at Kingston Kitsap on 10/14 (BWg), 1 at Satsop Grays Harbor on 10/17 (PS,RS), 1 at Samish Island Skagit on 10/18 and 10/25 (HA), 1 at Bainbridge Island Kitsap from 10/20 to 11/17 (BWg), 1 at Lyons Ferry Franklin on 10/20 (MD,MLD), 1 near Schwana Grant on 10/28 (SDo), 1 at Four Corners Jefferson on 10/27 (BoK), 2 at Skagit WMA Skagit on 10/28 (SM), 2 at Spencer Island Snohomish on 10/28 (MaB), 1 at Warm Beach Snohomish on 10/28 (SM), 2 at

Bellingham Whatcom on 10/28, 1 at Magnuson Park King on 11/4 (JB), 2 at Ridgefield NWR Clark on 11/8 (TAv), 1 at Kennewick Benton on 11/15 (NLa), 1 at Sequim Clallam from 11/18 to 11/30 (BoB), 1 at Kirkland King on 11/21 (MiH), 6 at Carnation King on 11/22 with 3 there to 11/30, and 2 at Duvall King on 11/22 (TAv). Harris’s Sparrow Uncommon in WA. 1 at Turnbull NWR Spokane on 10/14 (fide CrC), 1 at Iverson Spit Island on 10/27 (fide ThA), 1 at Kittitas Kittitas on 11/3 (fide DGr), 1 at Bridgeport Bar Douglas on 11/10 (BWg), 1 at Restoration Point Kitsap on 11/11 (fide BWg), 1 at Sudbury Road Walla Walla on 11/14 (MD,MLD), 1 at Kennewick Benton from 11/21 to 11/30 (NO), and 1 at

Osborne Grant on 11/25 (SM,DSc). Golden-crowned Sparrow Reports from e WA included 2 at ALES Benton on 10/3 (NLa), 2 at Wahkiacus Klickitat on 10/7 (SJ), 1 at Peone Spokane on 10/14 (fide CrC), 3 at Umtanum Creek Kittitas on 10/18 (TAv), 10 at Dallesport Klickitat on 11/9 (SJ), 1 at College Place Walla Walla on 11/13 (MD,MLD), and 15 at Yakima Yakima on 11/30 (DGr). “Slate-colored” Junco Reports included 1 at Kirkland King on 10/4 (MiH), 2 at South Prairie Pierce on 10/21 (CWr), 1 at Dungeness Clallam on 11/2 (TAv), 1 at Edison Skagit on 11/4 (SM), 1 at Ridgefield NWR Clark on 11/8 (TAv), 1 at Ocean Shores Grays Harbor on 11/9 (DR), 1 at Dallesport Klickitat on 11/9 (SJ), 2 at Warm Beach Snohomish on 11/12 (fide TAv), 1 at Moses Lake Grant from 11/19 to 11/26 (DSc), 1 at Carnation King on 11/22 (TAv), 1 at Coulee City Grant

Eurasian Collared-Dove, Davenport, Lincoln, 10/6/2006. Photo by Brian Bell



on 11/25 (SM,DSc), and 2 at Yakima Yakima on 11/30 (DGr). Lapland Longspur Reports included 1 near Stanwood Snohomish on 10/1 (CWr), 3 at Espanola Spokane on 10/5 (JA), 11 at Ocean Shores Grays Harbor on 10/7 (SDo) with 9 there on 10/29 (CWr), 1 at Deception Pass Island on 10/8 (CWr), 11 at Lummi Flats Whatcom on 10/8 (DiM), 1 at Hurricane Ridge Clallam on 10/11 (fide BN), 1 at Point No Point Kitsap on 10/14 (BWg,GuM), 1 at Montlake Fill King on 10/19 (EH), and 1 at Foulweather Bluff Kitsap on 10/23 (BWg). Snow Bunting Locally uncommon. 2 at Slate Peak Whatcom on 10/22 (GAl,SAl), 1 at Nile Lake Stevens on 10/27 (GiS,MWo), 11 at Ocean Shores Grays Harbor on 10/28, 4 east of Ione Pend Oreille on 11/2 (BS), and 1 at Samish Flats Skagit on 11/29 (TAv). Red-winged Blackbird High count: 14,000 at Othello Adams on 11/14 (RH). Tricolored Blackbird Uncommon in WA. 2 males Iowa Beef Walla Walla on 11/11 (MD,MLD), and 3 at Othello Adams on 11/14 (RH) with 1 there on 11/18 (DR). Western Meadowlark High count: 61 at Kent King on 11/4 (CWr). Yellow-headed Blackbird Uncommon in w WA. 1 at Carnation King on 11/22 (TAv). Rusty Blackbird Uncommon in WA. 1 at Bennington Lake Walla Walla on 10/10 (MD,MLD), 1 photographed at Philleo Lake Spokane on 11/1 (MWo), and 1 at Norman Snohomish from 10/2 (BLe) to 10/18 with 2 there on 11/6 (MaB). Brewer’s Blackbird High count: 2200 at Iowa Beef Walla Walla on 11/11 (MD,MLD). Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch Widespread reports included 250 at Sunrise in Mount Rainier NP Pierce on 10/1 (GW), 200 at Chinook Pass Pierce/Yakima on 10/12 (PS,RS), 3 at Mount Ellinor Mason on 10/14 (GW), 70 at Tower Mountain Spokane on 10/21 (MWo), 4 at Columbia Hills Klickitat on 10/22 (fide SJ), 30 at Slate Peak Whatcom on 10/22 (GAl,SAl), 100 at Mount St Helens Skamania on 10/25 (MPa), 3 at Hurricane Hill Clallam on 10/29 (CJG), 2 at Ocean Shores Grays Harbor on 10/29 (CWr), 80 at Steptoe Butte Whitman on 10/30 (GiS), 2 at Vantage Kittitas on 11/5 (MiF) with 150 there on 11/19 (AS), 8 near Cheney Spokane on 11/14 (CrC), and 130 at Jasper Mountain Columbia on 11/18 (MD,MLD). Pine Grosbeak Uncommon in WA. 1 at Bunchgrass Meadow Pend Oreille on 10/7

(BBe), 1 at Chinook Pass Pierce/Yakima on 10/12 (PS,RS) with 10 on 11/3 (AS), 1 at Davenport Lincoln on 10/28 (GiS), 1 at Tower Mountain Spokane on 10/28 and 11/30 (MWo), 2 at Discovery Park King on 11/16 (MtB) with 1 there to 11/18 (KKe,ENe), 7 at Havillah Okanogan on 11/26 (AS), 1 at Yakima Yakima on 11/29 (fide DGr), and 1 at Lyman Skagit on 11/28 (GB). Purple Finch Locally uncommon in e WA. 1 female reported near Schwana Grant on 10/28 (SDo). Cassin’s Finch Reports included 10 above Sunrise at Mount Rainier NP Pierce on 10/4 (TAv), 1 at Richland Benton on 10/17 (LHi), and 1 at Yakima Yakima on 11/23 (fide DGr). House Finch Large flocks included 300 at Woodland Cowlitz on 11/8 (TAv), and 150 at

Vernita Grant on 11/26 (BT). Red Crossbill Uncommon locally. 1 at Lyons Ferry Franklin on 10/20 (MD,MLD), and 1 at Davenport Lincoln on 10/28 (GiS). Common Redpoll High count: 100 near Chesaw Okanogan on 11/26 (AS). Pine Siskin High count: 400 at Skagit WMA Skagit on 10/28 (SM). Lesser Goldfinch Expanding from Klickitat core range. 13 at Bingen Klickitat on 11/16 with 16 there on 11/24 (SJ). Evening Grosbeak Uncommon in Columbia Basin. 1 at Washtucna Adams on 10/8 (MD,MLD). Corrigenda: Field Notes # 108 mistakenly reported 2 Merlin on a nest at Kettle Falls Ferry on 6/18 (AS). The county should have been Stevens.

OBSERVERS: HA Howard Armstrong, JA Jim Acton, SA Scott Atkinson, ThA Thais Armstrong, GAl Gail Aslanian, SAl Steve Aslanian, KAn Kathy Andrich, TAv Tom Aversa, BoB Bob Boekelhyde, GB Gary Bletsch, HB Howard Browers, JB Jan Bragg, MaB Marv Breece, MtB Matt Bartels, NB Nigel Ball, PmB Pamela Benson, VB Vicki Biltz, KBd Keith Brady, BBe Brian Bell, JBt Jack Bettesworth, JBu Joe Buchanan, BlC Bill Clemons, CrC Craig Corder, WC Wilson Cady, DD Dennis Duffy, MD Mike Denny, MLD Merry Lynn Denny, MtD Matt Dufort, SDo Scott Downes, JE Joe Engler, SEl Steve Ellis, ChF Chris Floyd, MiF Michael Fleming, RFl Bob Flores, CJG CJ Grimes, GG George Gerdts, KuG Kurt Gaskill, DGr Denny Granstrand, EH Gene Hunn, MiH Michael Hobbs, RH Randy Hill,

BHg Brendan Higgins, LHi Lisa Hill, RHo Roger Hoffman, MHr Mary Hrudkaj, EHu Eric Huston, SJ Stuart Johnston, BoK Bob Kinchen, HuK Hugh Kingery, KK Ken Knittle, KKe Kraig Kemper, RKo Russ Koppendrayer, EKr Gene Kridler, NL Nancy Ladenberg, RL Rachel Lawson, StL Steve Lospalluto, BLa Bill LaFramboise, NLa Nancy LaFramboise, BLe Barry Levine, TLi Terry Little, DiM Dick Mc Neely, GuM Guy McWethy, SM Steve Mlodinow, TdM Todd McLaughlin, JMe Joe Meche, SMi Scott Mills, BN Bob Norton, LN Laurie Ness, VN Vic Nelson, RNe Rolan Nelson, NO Neal Ofsthun, TO Tim O’Brien, DP Dennis Paulson, DaP Dave Parent, TP Ted Petersen, MPa

Mike Patterson, DR Dennis Rockwell, RR Russell Rogers, AS Andy Stepniewski, BS Bill Shelmerdine, GiS Gina Sheridan, GnS Gene Stagner, PS Patrick Sullivan, RS Ruth Sullivan, PtS Peter Steele, CSc Carol Schulz, DSc Doug Schonewald, RSh Ryan Shaw, MSp Meredith Spencer, ESw Ed Swan, DSw Dave Swayne, TSz Terry Schulz, BT Bill Tweit, ST Sam Terry, DdW David Whitten, DoW Doug Watkins, GW Gary Wiles, NW Norma Wendt, RoW Roger Woodruff, WaW Warren Walker, BWg Brad Waggoner, DWh David White, MWo Michael Woodruff, CWr Charlie Wright, NZ Neil Zimmerman.


Anna’s Hummingbird, Marymoor Park, Redmond, King, 11/8.2006. Photo by Ollie Oliver.


AVIAN / BIODIVERSITY PURSUITS IN BELIZE

Casa del Caballo Blanco is a recently created six-cabana, eco-friendly accommodation that allows guests to get up close and personal with Belize through its flora and fauna, cultural artifacts, recreation, and its birds migrating through this major flyway.

Casa, a 23-acre former ranch 9.5 miles from the Guatemalan border near San Ignacio, also shelters the not-for-profit Casa Avian Support Alliance. Its purpose is to understand and support the biodiversity of Belize that attracts and sustains over 530 species of migratory and resident birds spotted in a given year.

On-site facilities provide a haven for avian wildlife recently freed from captivity or treated for injury or illness. Here birds can heal, rehabilitate and eventually be released back into their natural habitat. It is also a sanctuary for the life-time care of birds that can’t be released back to their natural habitat. The facility is dynamic and will evolve annually with the guidance and cooperation of the Forest Department, Belize Audubon Society, Friends for Conservation and Development, Aves Sin Fronteras, and other organizations and experts from the avian community. Visit the alliance website for more information, www.casaavian.org

About Casa del Caballo Blanco

The Casa’s hacienda-style Main House celebrates the region’s Hispanic culture with high, beamed ceilings, tile floors, hand-made furniture and interior design features hand-crafted by local artisans to evoke the footprint of an ordered, spiritual world of centuries ago. Nestled on a hillside overlooking the Mopan River Valley, findings indicate that the site may have been a Mayan encampment. Meals include Mayan food prepared in centuries-old Kekchi, Mopan and Ycatecan traditions. Creole foods combine exotic Hispanic and Caribbean flavors. All produce is fresh from Casa’s own gardens and local markets and prepared locally by Belizeans.

Guests are invited to share in the responsibilities of supporting the avian program. They can assist in nest building, maintenance and feeding, as well as trail building and signage. A percentage of each cabana rental will be donated to the CASA center to assist with medical and other expenses related to the management of the facility.

Casa also organizes day-long tours that in addition to an educational and scientific focus can include horseback riding, cave tubing and visiting archeological and World Heritage Sites in Belize and Guatemala.

For information on year-round educational programs and vacation packages, please visit www.casacaballoblanco.com or call 707-974-4942.

Great Washington State Birding Trail Maps Audubon Washington has the first four of a planned seven Great Washington State Birding Trail maps available. Along the Great Washington State Birding Trail, you’ll find the best places for the best bird watching in the Evergreen State. The first four routes, the Olympic Loop, the Cascade Loop, the Coulee Corridor and the Southwest Loop feature sites for birders, novice to expert, to find our feathered friends in every season.

The full-color maps feature original artwork of birds along the routes, plus descriptions of habitat, access, and when to go. Audubon Washington is proud to work with many private partners and public agencies on the trail, which will eventually cover the whole state. Their next map will be for Southeast Washington. Details can be found on their website at http://wa.audubon.org/birds_GreatWABirdingTrail.html.

The maps are just $4.95 each, plus shipping and handling, and are available on-line through Seattle Audubon at http://www.seattleaudubon.org/natureshop.cfm under Maps.

This leucistic American Crow, paired with an ordinary black crow, has lived in West Seattle, King, for several years according to neighbors.

Photo by Dory Hamlyn, 7/1/2007


RARE BIRD ALERTS

Field Notes & Washington Field Notes

SUMMER DEADLINE: AUGUST 15 (June— July sightings)

Send bird sightings to:

Tom Aversa 305 NW 75th St

Seattle WA 98117 [email protected]

Washington Review Species Reports of review species

(see Washington Birds 5:1-6 or the WOS Field Card) may be sent to the

“Washington Field Notes” compiler or directly to the

Washington Bird Records Committee, c/o WOS, P.O. Box 31783,

Seattle, WA 98103.

Please submit detailed descriptions and drawings or photographs, if possible, of

unusual birds.

BAND RECOVERIES (“Avise” leg bands) should be reported. Include the

band number, along with how, when, and where the band was recovered,

preferably with reference to the nearest town. Persons who report bands receive

a Certificate of Appreciation telling when, where, and by whom the bird was banded, so be sure to include your full

name and address with all reports.

Report to:

Bird Banding Laboratory 12100 Beech Forest Road, Suite 4037 Laurel MD 20708

Phone: (800) 327-BAND

E-mail: [email protected] http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl

WOS BirdBox Tri Cities Area SE Wash/N Idaho South Idaho Oregon Vancouver, B.C. Victoria, B.C. Okanagan, B.C.

(206) 281-9172 Discontinued Discontinued (208) 236-3337 (503) 292-0661 (604) 737-3074 (250) 592-3381 Discontinued

ACCIPITERS: Winter site fidelity study. Cooper's hawks: Blue VID bands (Note right or left leg and engraved number and letter on VID band). Sharp-shinned hawks: either one or two color (only) bands on the same leg (Note right or left leg and top/bottom color if two bands). Other leg has standard aluminum band. Note date, time and location. Report to Jack Bettesworth, 2569 12th Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119, 206-285-5276, [email protected].

AMERICAN CROWS wanted: dead or alive. We still want your observations of color-banded crows. If possible, please record the color and location (top/bottom left leg, top/bottom right leg) of bands. Recently banded crows now have TWO colors AND a metal (Fish & Wildlife) band on one leg, and two colors on the other. In addition, as part of our West Nile virus monitoring efforts in the Puget Sound area, we would like to know about any dead crows you observe. If they appear freshly dead, your county health agency may also want to test them for the virus. Report to: John Withey, [email protected], phone: 206-543-2764.

COOPER’S HAWKS: Color bands have been placed on over 850 nestling Cooper's hawks in Victoria, British Columbia since 1996. This is part of a long-term study on its urban-nesting ecology. Each color band is uniquely coded with two vertical, alphanumeric characters and is placed on the left leg; black bands are on males, red bands on females. Please note band code and color, date, time, and location. To date, five different birds have been reported from Washington. Report all sightings to Andy Stewart, BC Conservation Data Centre, Victoria, B.C. (250) 387-9780, or e-mail to: [email protected].

MERLINS: The Merlin Falcon Foundation 501(c) (3) invites you to participate in a regional citizen-scientist investigation of the little known Coastal Forest Merlin. Please visit our evolving website at: www.merlinfalconfoundation.org We gratefully acknowledge your year around Merlin observations. Thank you for becoming a Merlin Steward and "Helping to Keep 'em Wild!"

NORTHERN HARRIERS: Patagial markers have been placed on northern harriers as part of a long-term study of populations on Whidbey Island and in the Kent Valley. Please note the color of the tag (yellow, blue, green, or white), which wing it is on, the letter or number printed (in black) on the tag, and if there is a black circle around the letter or number. Note date, time, and exact location. Report to Jack Bettesworth, 2569 12th Ave W, Seattle WA 98119, (206) 285-5276. [email protected].

BURROWING OWLS: Year-round sightings of banded burrowing owls in the Columbia Basin of eastern WA. Owls banded during 2000-2004 will have a larger colored band on either the left or right leg in addition to a smaller aluminum band. Owls banded as adults received a BLUE, GREEN, or RED band (males left leg, females right leg) while unsexed juveniles received a PURPLE or ORANGE band (left leg). All banded owls are now adults. The codes are unique, with two numbers and/or letters, next to or above and below each other, and with or without a horizontal or vertical bar separating. If you see a banded owl and can read even a portion of the code or determine color, please note the date and location, which leg, and report it to Randy Hill at work (488-2668 ext14) or home (509-488-9418), or by e-mail [email protected].

SONGBIRD SURVEY; We have colormarked ~500 crows as well as many other songbirds in the area and would appreciate any sightings of these. Be on the lookout for banded robins, Wilson's warblers, Swainson's thrushes, song sparrows, spotted towhees, Oregon juncos, winter and Bewick's wrens, and Pacific-slope flycatchers. If possible please record the color and location (top/bottom left leg, top/bottom right leg) of bands. Please report any sightings to Dr. John Marzluff, [email protected].

STREAKED HORNED LARK RESEARCH: We colormarked ~80 streaked horned larks in Washington and would appreciate any sightings of these birds (coast, Puget trough, Columbia River islands, Willamette Valley, etc.). Please record the color combination (e.g., red over USFWS on right and white over red on left - right and left are the bird's right and left), location and date observed and send to Dr. Scott F. Pearson, [email protected].

TURKEY VULTURES: The Olympic Vulture Study has been working on two concurrent studies: the fall migration at Salt Creek, and the demographics of our Pacific Northwest vultures. Any sightings from British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho will be welcomed. As always, date, location, and number of birds is needed. If possible, report weather, time, and any aspect of behavior. Please send to Diann MacRae, 22622 - 53rd Avenue S.E., Bothell, WA 98021, or to [email protected].

CLARK’S NUTCRACKERS: Sightings are needed for a three year study of the distribution and timing of movements of nutcrackers throughout Washington, but especially in the Cascades, lowland western Washington, and Olympic Mountains. Year round sightings are important, but sightings outside of the late summer months would be most valuable (November through June). Send information on the exact location, date and a conservative estimate for number of birds observed (for flocks) to: Teresa Lorenz, [email protected] or 360-956-2271.

Report Your Sightings (updated May 2006)

Make check payable to Washington Ornithological Society.Send form and payment to:

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Address:

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WOS MEMBERSHIP AND RENEWAL FORM

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The Washington Ornithological Society was chartered in 1988 to increase knowledge of the birds of Wash ington and to enhance communication among all persons interested in those birds. WOS is a non-profit organization under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code.

Memberships extend one year from the month joined. Benefits include:

• WOSNews — bimonthly newsletter

• Monthly field trips

• Affordable annual conferences

• WASHINGTON BIRDS — scholarly journal

The Washington Ornithological Society is the premier organ izat ion for Washington's active birders.

W A S H I N G T O N O R N I T H O L O G I C A L SOCIETY POST OFFICE BOX 31783 SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98103-1783 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID SEATTLE, WA

PERMIT NO. 4402 WOSNews 110

August / September 2007 Table of Contents

Common Loons at Ferry Lake 1

Wild Birding ~ How’s The Weather Part 1—Birding the Heat 1

2007 Aberdeen Conference 4

Review: Birds of Lane County, Oregon 7

Trespassing and Maps 8

Notice of 2007 Elections 9

Washington Field Notes 8/2006 11

Avian / Biodiversity Pursuits in Belize 19

WOS SALES WOS SALES At Meetings By Mail These prices are for single items. If ordering more than one item of a kind, please email [email protected] for

shipping prices.

Orders should be sent to:

WOS Sales P.O. Box 31783, Seattle, WA

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Window decal with circle raven logo – static-cling 1.00 1.50

Field Card of Washington Birds – 3.5”x6.5”, 12 pp. checklist 1.00 1.50

WASHINGTON BIRDS – Peer-reviewed Journal: issues # 3, 4, 5, 6 issues # 7, 8, 9

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WOSNews – Newsletter – Most issues available 1.50 2.00

A Guide to Bird Find in Washington — Book: Terence R. Wahl and Dennis Paulson, 1991 ed. CLEARANCE

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T-Shirt — White-headed Woodpecker logo, sizes M, L, XL — Raven head logo, sizes L, XL

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EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2007:

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wosnews 110 - washington ornithological society

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