My biggest gaff was on a trip out to the Dry Tortugas. We were riding
the bow in search of tropicbirds. When we approached the Tortugas we
hade a detour to Hospital Key to look for Masked Booby. When I saw one,
I yelled out "Tropicbird" even though I knew it was a booby. Just had
tropicbird stuck on my tongue. In retrospect, the stampede was comical.

As for calling a Mourning Dove a falcon, I do that all the time while
driving. The profiles are similar, especially at 55+.

Tyler Bell

California, MD

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On
> Behalf Of Gail Frantz
> Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 9:18 AM
> To: 
> Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] GBBC data is also reviewed
> 
> In a message dated 2/23/2006 8:55:32 AM Eastern Standard Time,
>  writes:
> 
> Your worst misidentification?...I suspect every last birder on this
list
> has
> such a tale to tell - about themselves.
> 
> You're so right!
> Mine happened 25 years ago when I excitedly IDd a Connecticut Warbler
> about a
> half mile into the woods behind my house. I contacted a more
experienced
> birder who asked me several pertinent questions and was quickly talked
out
> of it.
> 
> In Minnesota last year, a guy with the largest grin I've ever seen,
asked
> us
> if we wanted to see the Yellow-billed Loons he had in his scope (there
> actually had been one reported in that area). Unfortunately, they
happened
> to be 2
> juvy male Harlequin ducks.
> Did anyone tell'm? Not while we were there.
> 
> Still haven't had a really good look at a Connecticut W.
> 
> Gail Frantz
> Old Hanover Rd
> Reisterstown, MD