Hello Birders..
Yesterday morning I was out photographing bluebirds (again)and happened to
catch sight of an unusual (to me) bird. When I used the 400mm lens to zoom in
on it, I saw that there were 2 birds in my Leylandii Cypress trees, busy eating
something. I was too far away to identify them, so I snapped a few pictures.
After I enlarged them I saw that I had only taken a picture of one (the other
was deep into the Cypress trees) I checked my books and it was indeed a Yellow
Billed Cuckoo. I truly hope I haven't mis-identified this :) I've never seen
one before, although in listening to the sound file, I have heard them on my
property. I think they were after the bagworms in the Cypress. The trees are
being destroyed by bagworm and we were preparing to spray with BT this coming
weekend. Are these birds pretty common in this area? I've noticed them listed
in some of your bird counts and wished I could see one. Now I finally have..
Here's the only picture I was able to get before they flew off.
http://www.pbase.com/tomlyn/image/63769634
I could use a whole herd of them for the bagworms..Could that be what attracted
them here?? If so, we will be cautious in spraying, even though BT is organic
and safe for birds as far as I know.
I'll keep an eye on the Cypress to see if they return for another photo-op.
Lynda Blair
New Kent County, VA