[texbirds] Corpus and Port A 19-20 April, empid and no legs to stand on

From: Matt Heindel <mtheindel@xxxxxxx>
To: texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2013 10:31:27 -0400 (EDT)
As has been widely reported, Friday was excellent on the coast. With John 
Wilson in from CA, we chased the front and were pleased with 26 species of 
warblers on Friday, most of which have been reported here, but include 3 
Swainson's, 2 Worm-eating, Kentucky, Prothonotary, and Wilson's at Blucher; 4 
Blackpolls (incl a female), male Cape May, Prothonotary, and Yellow-throated at 
Packery; Blue-winged at the Port A Birding Center; and male Golden-winged and 
male Chestnut-sided at Paradise. Quite the show. Other highlights were over 
1200 Franklin's Gulls, many Broad-winged and Swainson's Hawks, an Olive-sided 
Flycatcher at Paradise and a flyover flock of 7 late siskins at Pollywog. The 
winds laid down before the weather monkeys had predicted and the birding 
Saturday was far reduced, although we did add the male Canada that others found 
at Blucher.

While at Paradise on the 19th it was interesting watching and listening to 
empids be turned into so many different species. There were 3 different 
Acadians and one, in particular was causing problems. I walked certain people 
through the ID and the challenges involved, but would continue to hear people 
call one bird in question a Least or a Traill's. While it is about time for a 
Least, the first Traill's are still not expected yet (yes, I know; they don't 
read books.......). There was an early Acadian two weeks ago at this same 
location that also was being called a Least, so I thought I would share some ID 
features. The bird I was watching that had an identity crisis had its 
appearance impacted by shade and foliage (as often is the case). The result was 
a bird that had a round eye ring, or seemingly had none at all; or one that was 
greener in some views than others, but it did seem to be the eye ring that I 
would hear people discuss. There were a few people who were eager to learn and 
were understandably confused as they were hearing different things from 
different people. There were others who were a bit loud and unaware of their 
limitations that just did not inspire the same amount of help. In short, 
Acadian is a large structured (long bill, long primary extension and big 
tailed) empid, green above with a thin eye ring that sometimes looks impressive 
and other times is seemingly absent. They are the most pewee-looking of the 
empids, yet other times have a more rounded crown like a Yellow-bellied. Part 
of the ID problem is to understand variation and what is expected. A Least 
would not be as green (usually with brownish or grayish tones on the head and 
back), but as with the Acadian, these features vary based on lighting. What 
does not vary is their big headed, stubbier bill, shorter primary extension, 
and shorter tail. They not only impart a different look, they are usually quite 
vocal (I never heard a whit at Paradise, but did hear Acadians explosive call). 
The empid show starts heating up soon, with early May really being the 
beginning of the good variety but the peak of this variety coming during the 
rest of that month (with some into June). Now, the first Leasts will announce 
themselves, so be on the lookout.


Lastly, a word about tripods at Paradise. At some point, the insensitivity and 
seeming oblivious behavior of some of the photographers is going to be an 
issue. A favorite set-up spot is in the corner looking back at a water feature. 
Over the last two days, there was always a tripod in that corner and this was 
one of the largest I have seen. On Saturday, once could not walk with a normal 
gait without kicking the leg. It is incomprehensible to me that someone who 
completed elementary school (where socialization is a prime goal) would take up 
a space like this in a boardwalk that is rather narrow and not be 
self-conscious about the impact on others. I think most birders are too kind to 
say anything directly but I overheard 4 groups of people muttering once away 
from this area. The insensitivity reached its peak when the person with the 
tripod left it there and took his other camera to photograph the obliging 
Golden-winged Warbler, as I heard someone musing about cutting off the legs, 
leaving him a monopod, since there was no one at the remaining tripod. Saving 
his spot and continuing to put up a roadblock were logical for this person. As 
I said to him when I walked by "Amazing." Most of us love looking at great 
pictures, but I have seen this behavior create problems elsewhere and if the 
abusers do not figure out how to police themselves, there going to have an 
issue here. Maybe photographers need to note on their wonderful pictures 
whether they were obtained in a birder-friendly manner.  Paradise is a 
wonderful place to bird (and thanks to those who have made it so), but it is 
quite the tidy, confined area. Even walking by that corner when birds are 
present without tripods can be a traffic jam . Leaving tripods in the way is a 
recipe for trouble. Use a monopod or some other stabilizing means. Use common 
sense. 


Matt Heindel
Fair Oaks Ranch, TX


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[texbirds] Corpus and Port A 19-20 April, empid and no legs to stand on

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