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Subject:

Red-Shafted Flicker at Blue Mash

From:

Jack Saba

Reply-To:

Jack Saba

Date:

Sun, 2 Oct 2005 13:07:03 -0400

While birding Blue Mash Nature Trail this morning (my first visit), I 
got a brief look at a RED-SHAFTED FLICKER, presumably the same bird 
reported yesterday by Tom Marko. I was on the trail at the first pond 
from the Zion Rd parking area. The bird was flying north. The red flash 
from the underwings was clearly visible through binoculars for two 
beats before the bird disappeared behind the tree line. Hard to judge 
how long I had the binoculars on it, but probably not more than 1-2 
seconds.

I almost missed the flicker entirely because I was so entranced by the 
large flock of CHIMNEY SWIFTS swooping around the pond.

Shortly after passing a group led by Rick Sussman (thanks, Rick and 
crew, for the RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH), I spotted a NORTHERN HARRIER. I 
also saw what I'm calling a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK -- only seen for a 
second or two looking toward the sun at a bad angle, and the only field 
mark seen was the squared-off spread tail, so I'm not completely sure 
it wasn't a Cooper's Hawk.

Jack Saba
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