Sunday, October 4, 2026

Temps in the 40s, mostly cloudy, occasional light rain, wind WNW 15-30 mph

Weather, Oct 4, 2026

The wind was a little less brutal today, but still windy.

No new birds (maybe).

One of the immature Gray-tailed Tattlers was still at Tattler Corner today.

Gray-tailed Tattler, Tattler Corner, Oct 4, 2026

Many of the Otters have pups right now.

Otter with pup, Clam Lagoon, Oct 4, 2026

I had two Peregrine Falcons playing/fighting over the Lake Shirley Cliffs this afternoon.

Peregrine Falcons, Lake Shirley Cliffs, Oct 4, 2026

After disappearing over the cliff, this one emerged (victorious?).

Peregrine Falcon, Lake Shirley Cliffs, Oct 4, 2026

The Slaty-backed Gull remains. All four Tufted Ducks remain.

I had another mystery bird today.

At the building complex at the south end of the Seawall, I spotted a bird sheltering from the wind next to one of the buildings.

It was on the ground, partially hidden by vegetation. I could see that it was dark brown (darker than a Pacific Wren) on the back, face, and tail.

It had a fine bill like a wren or kinglet.

It did not have a sloping forehead like a warbler. More like a sparrow.

I could not see the belly or the wings.

It then flew up onto the side of the building and I saw that it was that dark brown in the wings as well.

The tail was longer than a wren’s and was not cocked.

I did not see any flashes of white or other bold markings.

It flew away.

Since I was viewing it through the windshield of my car, I didn’t get any photos.

I spent a lot of time walking through the grassland in the direction that it flew.

I also spent some time at the Lake Shirley Cliffs, which are in that direction, as they would provide sheltered spots.

No luck.

Afterward, I tried to convince myself that it was just a Pacific Wren, but the tail was so different, that I am confident that it was not.

Nothing in my Asian bird book satisfied what I thought I saw, but, as I said on my previous mystery bird, I am not the best witness on short views of small birds that fly away…

The trip list remains at 45.

You can see the total list at https://ebird.org/tripreport/576221