[bsg] Couch's Kingbird location

From: Paul Dickson <Paul@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "bsg@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <bsg@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:09:53 +0000
BSG: You all my recall that there was an unidentified Kingbird found by Hubert 
back in early December. It was located in a slough with tall, dead willows on 
the east side of Hwy.1, 100 yards south of the north end of Yearwood Road. This 
is a location known as Crosskeys. I pass by this spot nearly daily and have 
looked for it since without success. We searched for it for the BCBCBC and 
later in preparation for the LOS winter meeting. It was never seen again until 
yesterday when I spied it atop the same trees it was seen in two months ago! It 
is hard to believe that we failed to find it if it has been in that slough all 
winter. Never the less, I stopped and went to the bird and played Tropical and 
Couch's  on my iPhone from Cornell's website. It gave no response to Tropical 
but when I played Couch's it did look my way once. I continued going through 
three rounds of each recording. Finally on play 4 of Couch's, it flew directly 
over my head and then across Hwy.1 into the pecan trees along the railroad 
track. This was double hint: what it was and where it's been hanging out all 
winter. I chased, though it was really now next to my car parked on the Hwy. I 
played both recordings. It took no heed. It sallied for insects and flew out 
into the pasture to the west, then returned a few minutes later to perch over 
the railroad track. I played each recording 3 more times each. Finally on play 
3 of Couch's, it again flew directly over my head but this time with fluttering 
wings. Still however, it was silent and even the fluttering wings could be 
explained off so I was not certain I was actually getting a response to the 
Couch's recording. It flew north, nearly to the edge of the yard of the house 
at Yearwood Road and perched next to the highway. Figuring that it must be very 
traffic and car tolerant having spent all winter here, I did not chase on foot. 
I moved my car to right in front of the tree the bird was in and from the 
window played Couch's. Before I the recording finished I could see its throat 
moving but due to traffic and the recording  couldn't hear it. I stopped the 
recording and the traffic passed and I was treated to a full but quiet, Couch's 
Kingbird song and calls.
Whew. Once stubborn bird that clearly does not like to be near a person on foot.
If it predominantly stays in the pecan dotted pasture to the west of Hwy.1 and 
South of Yearwood, then we would not have been able to find it without 
trespassing. My guess is that is where it has been, if in fact this is the same 
bird, which it may not be.  Regardless, that is where to look for it now if 
it's not in the slough.  Search from the corner of Yearwood and Hwy.1 first 
check the slough. If you don't find it then search 300 yards south along Hwy.1 
looking west, then 300 yards westbound along Yearwood looking south. It perches 
and the top of snags and also at mid canopy in pecans and sallies out from both 
well into open airspace to hunt.
Paul
[bsg] Couch's Kingbird location

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