[obol] 01/29/13 - Wallowa County, Joseph, OR : LITTLE BUNTING addendum

From: AVITOURS@xxxxxxx
To: obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2013 10:49:04 -0500 (EST)

Birders -

I do not have too much more to add regarding the Joseph, OR., LITTLE
BUNTING. Yesterday (1/29), it was seen two different times (8:57 AM & 11:51
AM), where Kyle Bratcher first re-found it, and in three different times
sporadically (10:50 - 11:20 AM), in two neighboring yards where I observed
it.
All sightings have come from only an approximate 1 block diameter;
however, it took four birders about 41/2 hours to find it 5 times in two days.
Kendrick Moholt, from Lostine, OR., arrived just in time, to catch it while it
was being cooperative, the last sighting of the day, that I am aware of.

Here is Craig Tumer's [Thanks again Craig!] link to the map (again), that
shows the locations where the bunting was observed yesterday and early this
morning:

_https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RXIrvfrW71JakM6fSGZ7LvdoL_Y34hXr-GkaT
xhVxn4?feat=drectlink_
(https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RXIrvfrW71JakM6fSGZ7LvdoL_Y34hXr-GkaTxhVxn4?feat=drectlink)

After I saw the bird the first time (9:12 AM), and was able to quickly
study over it's finer details with binoculars; I figured I would try to get a
least one or two pictures. I unfortunately never got very close to the
bird, I was thoughtlessly free-handing the shots, it was overcast and cold,
but I took 137 snaps of this bird. I got a few interesting angles, albiet
poor quality, missed a in-flight series, and got a handful of diagnostic
photos. One of the better ones is embedded in my ebird submission for this
search, which can be viewed here:

_http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S12765186_
(http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S12765186)

While I walked the neighborhood, if anyone even looked at my binoculars, I
told them what I was doing and why I was there. I knocked on the door of
100 S. College and spoke with Genene Kingsford, so she is on the same page,
along with many of the neighbors. I showed her a picture of the LITTLE
BUNTING and explained that she may be seeing lots of folks with binoculars,
scopes, and cameras around. I didn't talk to everyone, so remember this is
their neighborhood and you are a guest. When it is appropriate, I would
also suggest informing businesses and individuals that you are visiting
their town to look at their birds. I even started off the morning sharing my
birding intentions to my interested sever at breakfast in La Grande and
accidentally explaining to the not-so- interested gas station attendant in
Enterprise in the afternoon. Kendrick was going the talk to the local
newspaper in Joseph. Wow, this was a life bird for me and I only had to drive
148.2 miles from home! Whether you keep lists or not, if you like looking at
birds, go see this one. Don't procrastinate, there are very few birds quite
like it in Oregon, Washington, the Pacific Northwest, or North America,
for that matter. If you come through, La Grande feel free to call, e-mail,
or stop by the shop. I always enjoy talking about birds with other
interested folks. Drive safe, enjoy the process, be patient, and good skill &
good luck!

Good birding,

- Trent

The Bobolink - Linking Birders & Birds

1707 5th Street
La Grande, OR 97850
(541) 963 - 2888
_avitours@aol.com_ (mailto:avitours@xxxxxxx)

[obol] 01/29/13 - Wallowa County, Joseph, OR : LITTLE BUNTING addendum

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