These past couple of weeks have been so exciting and filled with beautiful migrants, that it's hard to get used to the idea that this will end soon and normalcy - as I know it - will resume. I looked in all the 'hot spots' this morning and found the few that have been hanging around lately - as you'll see, and also a mystery bird which turned the morning into a learning opportunity.
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| The Blackpolls have been 'regulars' by the "Picnic Tables" area, as well as a Tennessee and a Northern Parula. |
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| The Grey Kingbirds and Western Kingbirds were again spotted near the Lighthouse area. |
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| And then, my funny guy. I heard the "caw", so figured that it was a crow but the yellowish throat was puzzling - being new on the birding field, I assumed that it was a juvenile and I made a mental note to check it out when I got home. |
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| A bit later I bumped into Lillian and Don Stokes - so I asked them about the 'juvenile' and showed them my photos. |
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| I saw/heard Lillian and Don in action as they discussed and pointed out the different key points while trying to determine what the bird was - the bill being deformed and the yellow being determined as being pollen. As I put my photos on my computer, I also saw that he has a deformed foot and lots of hair on his legs. The feathers are not being well taken care of because of the condition of the bill - however, it is amazing how this crow with all its limitation is able to carry on. We searched the area to spot the bird and sure enough we found it - and it was hanging around with the other crows. I learned a lot today and felt very lucky to have bumped into Lillian and Don and grateful that they had the time to share their knowledge and expertise. | I |
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| One single Indigo Bunting was spotted by the Picnic Tables too. |
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| A Pileated Woodpecker enjoying the ripe berries by the Lighthouse. |
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| A pair of Crows and their behaviors were being observed, Lillian and Don pointed out that they were a pair because of the way they were sharing food back and forth....not a typical crow behavior. |
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| Well, it might have been quiet but the experience and knowledge that I gathered this morning was truly priceless - thank you Lillian and Don for sharing your time with me. My E-Bird List for today http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S18100152 |
Your story about the pollen-laden crow is so funny, I laughed out loud. I imagine when you looked at the pictures at home, you said, "Of course!" Thanks for your Blackpoll photos. I have never seen one. Dotty
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, it was fun solving the crow mystery with you!
ReplyDeleteLillian and Don