Hi birders, Rain has put a damper on work so finally made it out for
several hours to the refuge. Birding was outstanding! Small birds/ migrants
were active and birding was good. I had 84 spp not counting Canada Goose. I
chased my FOS Gray-cheeked trying to make it into an interior west Hermit
Thrush- or dare I say, possibly even Bicknell's. The bird had some really
interesting marks that just didn't sit quite right. However, overall
behavior and one really good call definitely supported Gray-cheeked. The
photos are poor and light wasn't great but I had good looks at close range
through the bins/ notes in descriptions. Comments appreciated.
The Palm Warbler, also flagged, foraged mere feet from me on the ground and
in Chickasaw plum. Two Prairie Warblers and others sang close by. I almost
had the Palm in the lens when it relocated distantly toward another clump
of plums near a dense edge.
What's up with the White-throated Sparrow flag? There are still 30+ here
in the yard. If one were able to catch all the WTSP lingering at the refuge
500 to even 1,000 would not surprise me. My numbers are careful and
conservative.Tennessee Warbler nos were also flagged.
Leaving the house this morning I heard Northern Waterthrush. There were
quite a few at the refuge, also. Returning home today, there was a fem
Rose-breasted Grosbeak with the pesky (but nice) House Finch and W-w Dove
multiples at the feeders. Here's the refuge list-
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29069459
Good birding,
Terry
