[obol] Wretits discussion

[Ronald G. Peterson]

I have found this thread very interesting as I have had a similar 
experience this morning in Astoria.  

While scoping the sewage logoons from old US-30 up on the hillside, I 
heard an unusual call from the blackberries to the east of me.  When I 
located the movement I expected a song sparrow (from what I could see 
naked eye), not the maker of the sound.  With the scope trained on the 
bird, the first thing that stood out was the very long tail.  Then the 
blurred streaking on the breast that lightened as it approached the chin 
and thin, short bill.  Such a plain little bird otherwise, but proud of 
his call.  It was perched in the canes about four feet off the ground, 
about a foot and a half from the top of the mass.  While looking, a 
second one was apparent about a foot lower and several inches back into 
the canes.  No other movement or birds in the area.

Unfortunately, they decided I had a long enough look and departed into 
the mass of canes as I was swinging the camera into position.

I, too, find myself knowing what they were not, but not what they were. 
 Sibley's illustration of the darker adult wrentit comes the closest to 
what I saw, with the body posture shown in the paler.  It did not hold 
the tail up in typical 'wren' fashion, but did flick it a bit.  My other 
field guides' illustrations/photos of the wrentit are not what I saw.  

Realizing noboby else was there, any suggestions as to what else I 
should consider they might have been?

Ron
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Ronald G. Peterson
McMinnville

Too bad I didn't stop off at Del Rey.  The bunting would have been nice 
to observe.