Gray Catbird in England
Phil Davis (pdavis@ix.netcom.com)
Thu, 29 Oct 1998 01:58:49 -0500
MD Ospeyains -
This is a cross-posting of two messages from TexBirds. It doesn't involve
MD birds, but I thought you might enjoy it.
Phil
From: Mark Lockwood <Mark.Lockwood@TPWD.STATE.TX.US>
Subject: [TEXBIRDS] Gray Catbird in England
To: TEXBIRDS@LIST.AUDUBON.ORG
Dear TexBirders,
Birders in England and those in the United States have very different
ideas about what is countable and what isn't. Here is another prime
example of this difference in philosophy. A Gray Catbird landed on the
Queen Elizabeth II in New York and rode across the Atlantic to England
aboard the cruise ship. Word about the "passenger" arrive in England a
"Mega Alert" was sounded as this would be the first occurrence in
England of this bird, one previous record from Ireland. Apparently
hundreds, maybe thousands of birders descended on the port.
Unfortunately for them, the Catbird remained on board the ship. Later
that day the ship departed for a return trip to New York. Since only
ticketed passengers were allowed on board, the birders were not allowed
to see the bird. IN the 23 October 1998 London Times, Andrew Raine was
quoted as saying "We're completely devastated that it has left on the
ship." There was an accompanying photo of the bird sitting on the
railing of the ship. I guess there was at least one birder on the
cruise from New York.
I don't know if this bird would be considered an acceptable record for
England, but it was definably going to be a big chase bird.
Mark
Mark Lockwood
Austin, Texas
From: Noel Wamer <nwamer@NAC.NET>
Subject: Re: [TEXBIRDS] Gray Catbird in England
Comments: To: Mark Lockwood <Mark.Lockwood@TPWD.STATE.TX.US>
To: TEXBIRDS@LIST.AUDUBON.ORG
TexBirders,
The catbird story related by Mark Lockwood has become even more bizarre
since the QEII left England. The ship was bound for the Mediterranean, and
has stopped at several ports there, still with the catbird aboard. It is
now due to return to England on, I think, November 6.
The UK BirdNet mail list has almost daily updates on the status and
location of the catbird, which is being fed. Anticipation of its return
mounts, and its tickability is subject to much debate. UInfortunately, the
catbird's favorite perch on the ship is not visible from dockside. There
have been suggestions of helicopter charters. It's an absolutely
fascinating and humorous email thread.
Noel Wamer
Parsippany, NJ, US
nwamer@nac.net -- http://www.users.nac.net/nwamer
"A strange bird may cause a slight unrest until it is named..."
(Walker Percy)
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Phil Davis
home: PDavis@ix.netcom.com Davidsonville, Maryland USA
work: PDavis@OAO.com Greenbelt, Maryland USA
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