Social Distancing While Chasing Rare Birds in Pierce County Today

Both birds, this Northern Shrike, and the Say’s Phoebe seemed to enjoy being photographed and kept coming closer as I tried to get shots.

Today Bruce LaBar, my guest on The Bird Banter Podcast Episodes #3 and #46 alerted the rest of our Pierce County birding test chain participants that he had found a Say’s Phoebe on Area 13 on JBLM. This is a common Eastern WA species, that is only seen rarely in migration in Western WA. I had only seen one in Pierce previously, at Brown’s Point March 9, 2017 when one was found at Brown’s Point Lighthouse. (I had actually forgotten about this sighting until reminded by Marcus about it yesterday, at the Say’s spot on JBLM from a nice safe much >6′ distance outdoors.
Say’s Phoebe

While looking for the phoebe, Scott Saunders found a Northern Shrike, another tough Pierce bird, and so I got a 2-fer for FOY Pierce birds on the trip. It was really nice to break out of the house and see the beauty of the JBLM prairie as well as the two birds.
Western Meadowlark

Stay safe, stay well, and find a way to get out birding safely.
Northern Shrike, even heard singing!