Date: Sun, 25 Jun 2000 23:17:14 -0400 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Paul Subject: Recap on Western Kingbird in DC Comments: To: Voice , "Janni, Ottavio" , "Gough, Gregory" , "Stasz, Jim" MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Just wanted to follow-up with a few more details about the Western Kingbird sighting from yesterday (Sat, 6/24) at Kenilworth Park in NE DC. First I wanted to thank Paul O'Brien for quickly posting a note about the bird, as well as Rob Hiton for the additional details. As Rob mentioned, I had been birding with him at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens that morning. We split at the gardens at about 8:45, as he had to get home. However, I had a little more time to kill before I had to be in Chevy Chase, where I was to meet up with my family and drive to a family reunion in PA. Upon leaving the Aquatic Gardens, I drove to Kenilworth Park (on the south side of the Gardens), half hoping for a Dickcissel. I got there a little before 9 am, and it was pretty hot at that point. So I parked on the side of the road, and walked up to the wild meadow. I stood at the edge of the meadow, overlooking it and listening for birds. All I heard were Indigo Buntings and American Goldfinches (not even any Grasshopper Sparrows), and as the sweat was dripping down my face I figured that it was time to leave. Just before I turned to go, at about 9:10 am, a bird caught my eye as it was flying from right to left over the meadow. It was being harassed by No. Rough-winged and Barn Swallows, but easily holding its own because of its larger size. The bird flew in front of me, about 50-70 yards out, and was well backlit (that is, the sun was behind me). With the naked eye, the first thing that caught my attention was how long tailed it looked, even suggesting a cuckoo. But the flight style immediately said kingbird, and when it turned to show me its yellow belly I experienced an immense rush of adrenaline. "Holy cow (or something similar), it's a Western Kingbird!" I said to myself. I followed the bird as it flew across the meadow, and towards the back parking lot of the park. I was able to note all of its key features, including the white outer tail feathers, as it banked and swooped. It was downed by an Eastern Kingbird at one point, and then I lost sight of it as it rounded a group of trees. I quickly raced down to my car, calling Rob and Dave Czaplak with my cell phone as I did so. Unfortunately neither were home, so I left messages. As I drove to the back parking lot, I also called Paul O'Brien. Fortunately I was able to reach him, but that was probably because he had just gotten in from Alaska late the night before. I was parking my car as Paul O. got to the phone, and was immediately able to relocate the kingbird as I was talking to him (it was almost 9:15). At this point it was perched in the top of a tree, and actively feeding by flycatching a few feet out and snatching some unidentified bugs. The bird was about 150' away from me, and it was a challenge to soak it in while talking to Paul. I gave Paul the details, and he was able to call a few others who's numbers I didn't have at hand (next time I'll bring my address book with me). I quickly walked back to my car and grabbed my notebook, while watching the bird fly from tree to tree. It was very active, hardly ever staying still for long. However, it never vocalized over this whole period. At this point I'd say I made a fatal mistake. I was so intent on taking notes, that I lost sight of the bird (it was about 9:20). I thought I was able to keep on it, but when I looked up to the tree where I had last seen it, it was gone. I frantically scanned the area, but alas, I couldn't relocate the bird. I stayed in the area, writing notes and searching for the bird until about 9:55, but since I was running late at this point (though realizing that I'd never make it to Chevy Chase by 10), I had to leave. But for what it's worth, we still made it to the reunion on time, and I stuffed myself on Aunt Lulu's cookies and hot pork sandwiches - yum. As Rob pointed out, the bird was not refound, which is not surprising for this species. I'm just glad he wished for me to "find something rare" as we split at the gardens. We should try that again soon. Good birding, Paul Pisano Arlington, VA cheep@erols.com ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================