[va-bird] Western Tanager - Augusta County

With changing seasons and winds of March, you just never know what may your 
way.
On Saturday, March 27, 2004, Andrew Clem filmed a bird from his Staunton, 
Augusta County apartment and posted a few pics to Shenvalbirds. In 
reviewing last night it certainly appeared to be a Western Tanager.  I 
contacted Andrew and arranged drive over this morning in attempt to 
relocate the bird.

Gordy Adamski and I left Charlottesville shortly after 8 a.m. and arrived 
at the apartment complex approximately 8:45 a.m.  Andrew reported seeing 
the bird earlier that morning around 6:30 a.m. and managed to film it once 
again.  It was not until approximately 10:30 a.m. before I spotted it when 
it flew into what we think is a Cottonwood next to single row of pine 
tree.  It was there for only a few split seconds but long enough to 
positively ID it as a Western Tanager.  It flew to adjacent tree, again 
remaining for only a few split seconds before flying off, briefly landing 
in another tree and then flying off and out-of-sight toward the front 
section of the apartment complex.

Thankfully the bird returned approximately 20 minutes later and Andrew and 
I were able to capture this bird on film.

This is a first Augusta County record and possibly only the 4th for 
Mountains and Valley.  Congratulations Andrew!

Because there is just the hint of "red" on the throat captured in several 
pics in different poses and lighting, this is probably a first winter 
male.  Have not been able to conclusively determine if this "red" would 
rule out a female.

Below is link to web page with pics.

The bird is showing up at feeders at the apartment complex.  Anyone who is 
interested in seeing the bird may contact Andrew Clem by email at 
agclem@xxxxxxxxxxxxx to arrange access.


Pics of tanager:

http://www.birdsofvirginia.com/Gallery_pages/WesternTanager_Gallery.htm

I just read Andrew's latest post to Shenvalbirds and learned that another 
resident in the same apartment complex, none other than Yulee Larner, 
keeper of the county records, was rewarded with good "sunlit" view of the 
tanager shortly after Gordy and I left around 12:15 p.m.



Brenda Tekin
Charlottesville, VA

"Leave behind what you find. If you must take something, take pictures."

Photo journal including Birds of Virginia:

http://www.birdsofvirginia.com


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