On Tuesday, January 22, 2013 12:18:01 PM UTC-5, Bill Hubick wrote:
> Hi Everyone, Dave Kidwell asked me to post that the BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER is being seen (as of 12:07 p.m.) at Claire's house. See previous post from Claire for address. Awesome.Bill �Bill HubickPasadena, <Marylandbill_......>://www.billhubick.com http://www.marylandbiodiversity.com
I gave Dave a call and asked him what he was doing today for lunch, and if he would like to try for the BT Gray Warbler! He said he had no bins with him but that would not stop him from trying! Funny thing - we set out and as we were waiting to turn off GA Ave to the neighborhood, we noticed the car in front of us had an eBird bumper sticker, and we guessed someone else was coming to try also. Sure enough, they pulled up in front of the house, right in front of us, but to our surprise it was Claire, back from class!
She graciously took us around the side of her house and showed us where she saw it, and to our complete amazement THERE IT WAS!!!
It was foraging in the exact same place she saw it the first time. There is a white pine in the back yard with a lot of English Ivy around it on the ground, and it was gleaning for insects (none actually seen; although it is beautiful and sunny it is still below freezing - very cold!). We watched it for about ten minutes and had great ~25-40 views of it with naked eye and bins. I am not familiar with the species, but it is unmistakeble. I think it is an adult female but it may be an immature bird. It has a white throat. Could see its solid gray back and white belly with distinctive bold white and black facial stripes, as well as its yellow eye lore.
I had no camera but will post video I took using my phone and bins when I get home tonight!
The best strategy may be to simply wait by the side of her house and watch her back yard. If facing the house from the street, go to right side of house for best angle and to minimize disturbance. It was very busy with bird activity at her feeders. She mentioned the warbler seemed to come out when the juncos were out, and when we were there just now, there was a lot of feeder activity.
What an amazing moment - serendipity!!
We thanked Claire emphatically for her gracious hospitality, and warned her she may have a lot of people want to try and see this beauty, since it is such a rarity for MD. She said she was fine with it. Depending on how many show up she may need to tell her neighbor.
Thank you again Claire!
Jeff Shenot
Croom MD
--
|