White-crowned Sparrow seen today in Orting, WA.
Today while I was in the Ohop Valley, listening to a Yellow-breasted Chat singing, I got a text from Ken saying, “My-oh-My”. This is an old Dave Niehaus line he used when the Seattle Mariners do something really good. The Mariner’s had just come from behind to beat the Tampa Bay Rays (putting them in sole possession of first place in the AL West by 1/2 game over the Houston Astros), but Bruce and I were in the Ohop Valley chasing a county first species for each of us, Yellow-breasted Chat. I replied to Ken that. “Will is back.” Will Brooks, a hot young birder at the University of Puget Sound had been back in California on a break after his second semester final exams, but returned for this weekend. He has a great talent for finding rare birds, and sure enough found the chat today. The joke among Ken and me is that we wouldn't get any exciting bird findings until Will returned to find them for us. From there our Pierce County text message broadcast alerted the crew of local birders, Bruce replied that he was going now, I called him and we went together. Michael Charest showed up while we were there.
Yellow-breasted Chat is a species that sings a loud, repetitive, highly varied song, but often sings from a concealed perch deep in dense cover. We all got to listen to and identify this bird, but none of us got a decent look, and no photos. This is species #256 in Pierce County for me, and I believe #279 (most by any birder) for Bruce. You can hear the song on the recording on my eBird list from today.
This was a great way to end a day where previously I had not birded much. I did go to Orting and at the river walk at the end of 178th Ave. did hear several singing Red-eyed Vireos for another FOY species, and had a nice walk. The White-crowned Sparrow at the top of the post was obliging for a photo. The photos below are less exciting.
Western Wood-pewee.
Lazuli Bunting in Orting today. I was not able to find the Lazuli x Indigo Bunting hybrid seen by Will today.
Until next time. Good birding. Steem on!