Rails Rule! But Birding by Ear wasn't half bad. Seven BBEers were treated to another Tequila Sunrise (I know, too easy. But it had to be said) and a little bit of this and a little bit of that, bird-noise-wise (totally acceptable hyphenated phrase; look it up).
For BBE, we had a nice orchestral chamber for Greater Yellowlegs. I think we almost have that nailed, yes? And non-stop chipping from Yellow-rumped Warblers. Hopefully, the asthmatic American Wigeon will stay with you and not your lungs. Maybe the surprise of the morning was the Willets (good English, yes? Me talk pretty one day), with their very clear "Gotta Go" flight call, accompanied by the equally clear: "Me too!" BBE fun.
The buzzy noise drawing us into the fenceline had to be a Bewick's Wren, didn't it? Even though I hadn't heard the vocalization before, the only thing I could think of was Bewick's Wren. And then it showed itself! All brown and small and curved pointed bill. Bewick's Wren! right?! uhhhhmmmmm Tate: "Where's the supercilium?" Bob, haughtily: "Check your book." Which was shorthand for "I'm right and you're wrong." Oh, the mighty fall hard. That little bird popped up again. No supercilium. No bright white throat contrasting with a brown back. Just a dull tan throat contrasting with a dull brown back. House Wren! 99.999% of the U.S. population of House Wrens migrate to the deep south, gulf coast, socal, or into Mexico and further. These two little cuties decided to be part of this year's .oo1% Cool. Nice work Tate. Don't let me slide!
Oh, and we learned appropriate etiquette for when the Clapper Rails clap. Men bow, women curtsie. I certainly hope you won't need me to remind you when the occasion arises again.
The Clappers were gorgeous. The Sora was beautiful in its laterally compressed grayness. And then we had the Common Yellowthroat, and the Marsh Wren, and all of the male/female duck combos. "yes, I'd like the male/female duck combo please. With the Saintsbury Pinot, and perhaps the mango chutney on the side, if you would......" Oh, we were living large today. The list continued, but I do not.....
Hope you had fun, I did. Including stopping a Red-tail on a dime. Another day.
B = Identified by call or song during "Birding by Ear" portion of the class.
Class cumulative Winter species total: 91. And how's your little blue book coming along?
If I missed something, I'm completely relying on the team to remind me.
And for 33&1/3 bonus points, what bird is flying across the marsh, pictured at the top of this column?
bob power
January 29th, 2006
2006? sheesh. Where's the time gone?
