Date: 11/10/26 8:33 pm From: Denis DeSilvis via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Vermilion Flycatchers at Northern Latitudes
Dennis,
Several of us in UW Forestry grad school took off one morning (at my behest) and drove over to Avondale Road to see this Vermilion Flycatcher. As I recall, it was spotted by a WDFW (I think from that agency) who was called out by the owner of the property regarding beaver damage. The bio reported it and lots of folks went there, but could only view it from the property owner's fenceline because he didn't want folks on the property.
Thanks for the memory!
May all your birds be identified,
Denis
Denis DeSilvis
avnacrs for birds at outlook.com
May all your birds be identified,
Denis DeSilvis
avnacrs 4 birds at outlook dot com
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From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> on behalf of Dennis Paulson via Tweeters <tweeters...>
Sent: Tuesday, 10 November 2026 14:26:07
To: Dana Greeley <djgreel1...>
Cc: TWEETERS tweeters <tweeters...>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Vermilion Flycatchers at Northern Latitudes
Dana, that bird was the first for Washington, seen from 25 January to 17 March 1988. I saw that bird also, and it is the only one that has been seen in late winter and the only one seen over such a lengthy period. I wonder how many people saw it, as you say long before eBird. Those fortunate people are welcome to respond!
Dennis Paulson
Seattle
On Nov 10, 2026, at 1:49 PM, Dana Greeley via Tweeters <tweeters...><mailto:<tweeters...>> wrote:
In regards to the Vermilion flycatcher.
I recall way back when I used to phone into the rare bird hotline to hear the recorded message telling us nerds what rarities were seen in the area recently.
1 day, on that recorded message, a vermilion flycatcher was reported out in Redmond.
I went and picked up my father, who lived in Bothell at the time.
He taught me to birdwatch and was always better in recognizing the calls, etc.
We drove out to the location, no other cars or people around, and as we got out of the car my dad pointed up to a tree and said, "there it is."
I hadn't even closed my door on the car yet. He took all the 'fun' out of it ; )
At any rate, the point of this story was, this was way before ebird. My dad passed in 2000.
If I had to guess, I'd say this was 1988. And I think it was February... but my memory is a bit fuzzy as to the actual month and year - maybe someone else on here remembers the date better than I?
It was hawking insects and flying back to the same limb. Classic behavior that I've seen down in Arizona. And if I recall correctly, it was a male in vermilion plumage.
