Re: [MDOsprey] Late Blue-winged Warbler (DC)
Miliff@aol.com
Wed, 27 Oct 1999 13:50:11 EDT
MDOsprey,
Regarding the late Blue-winged Warbler in D.C. I read with interest Rob's
observations that its right foot was injured. In talking to Van Remsen at
Louisiana State University (which many of you are probably aware has one of
few active "collecting museums" in the USA) he mentioned that their series of
late season birds have almost without exception had some sort of abnormality.
In many cases it is an injury, such as the January Flammulated Owl which was
found relatively healthy, but with a lead pellet in one wing -- or the winter
Redstart with a healed-over leg. The more subtle cases have involved a
single patch of discolored feathers, or something of the like.
Just a point of interest. I was surprised also to read Gail and Barry's post
with late Tennessee and Prairie warblers. Plus there's the Black Hills
Empid, a Cape May Warbler at Flag Ponds... -- clearly there are an unusual
amount of late lingerers around!
Glad to hear that redpolls and crossbills are indeed coming too (tx Michael
for the report). It might be worth noting also that a significant movement
of Rough-legs is underway also. Kiptopeke has now counted almost 10. The
main Rough-legged movement isn't usually expect until November (or later).
Note that the previous record count for Kiptopeke was 3, and that the past
four years of full time fall coverage have produced two sightings - one in
1995 and one in 1998. Something to keep in mind - you can always cruise
fields for Rough-legs if you bore of siskins, redpolls, crossbills, and
Saw-whet Owls. [Michael and others, what has the RL count been like at Cape
May so far?]
Half of me is wishing I was home for all these winter birds, the other half
is enjoying the stuff I'm getting here in the Gulf (single Red-breasted
Nuthatch for the past week, foragig on pipes and grating, Burrowing Owl
several days ago, Lesser Nighthawk, rare for LA, yesterday!).
Best,
Marshall Iliff
miliff@aol.com
> Hi,
>
> My computer did the nasty computer thing of being uncooperative on Monday,
> before I had a chance to email this report. I am, I mean, it is back up
> and running now.
>
> On Saturday, Oct. 23, at Rock Creek Park DC, near the nature center,
> Ottavio Janni discovered and Lisa Shannon and I also saw a late (and
> brightly colored) Blue-winged Warbler. Its right foot appeared to be
> injured, as it trouble landing on twigs and at one point we could see it
> hold that foot off the branch. It was capturing caterpillars as it hopped
> and fluttered.
>
> Rob Hilton
>
> Rob (Robert) Hilton--*robert@csa.com*--Bethesda, Md. (very close to
> Washington, DC)
******************************************************************************
*******************Marshall J. Iliff
Currently on Mobil Green Canyon 18A
110 mi south of Morgan City, LA
Migration Over the Gulf Project www.transgulf.org
miliff@aol.com
www.transgulf.orgmiliff@aol.com*************************************************************************************************