My sense is that the intensity of breast coloration is NOT enough to
say with assurance that this was not an Ash-throated Flycatcher.  A
good description of the edgings on the underside of the tail
feathers would be more conclusive.  Any myiarchus this late would
have to be considered very strongly for ATFL.
 
I would however appreciate comments from others regarding this
sighting.
 
Norm


  _____  

From: Larry/Jean Fry [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Sunday, December 17, 2006 10:30 PM
To: Norm Saunders
Subject: Post to MD Osprey RE Myiarchus Flycathcer in Somerset
County From Salisbury XMAS Count



Norm

 

Greetings

 

Sam Dyke suggested that I send this to you for consideration for
posting  to  MD  Osprey.

 

Salisbury XMAS  Count  --   Somerset  County     ---    Delorme
Sheet   33    Grid   C5     Reading Ferry Road  (from Map)   also
known    as  Redden   Ferry Road and Redding  Ferry Road.       Bird
was located  one-half  to   three-fourth  mile  from  intersection
with  Polk Road  just  beyond a fenced yard with  many chickens on
the right.   Bird was located on wires  and in trees  at open field
on the right  just  beyond  "Chicken Yard" and in front of and near
the next house on the right. (There is a rusty orange trailer just
beyond this house.)

 

A Myiarchus Flycatcher was identified as a Great Crested Flycatcher
by a party of six persons, primarily because of brilliant  yellow
belly and  breast  area.   Details  below.        ( NOTE:
Ash-throated   Flycatcher  was suggested  later at  compilation
meeting. Belly and  breast  were not  very pale  yellow, as
described by Sibley,  but rather  brilliant  yellow.)

 

DETAILS   OF   BIRD:

 

Vocalization:   none

 

Size:   larger than Eastern Bluebird     (Bird was perched on a wire
near  two Bluebirds.)  Profile was of a medium-sized, but slender
bird. 

 

Belly/Breast:   Brilliant Yellow extending from near tail to  near
throat  area.    

 

Throat:   Gray

 

Back:   Brown/ Olive

 

Wings:  Slight   red,  ruddy  or rusty wing steak

 

Tail:    Slight red, ruddy,  or  rusty  streaking.   Tail  slightly
notched.  

 

Head:   Gray

 

Crest:  Slight Crest

 

Behavior:  Typical flycatcher  behavior;  perching and then  flying
out to catch  flies  and bugs, sometimes flying  down to ground, and
then returning to perch. (Yes, there are still  flies and bugs
around.)   

 

Photographs:   None    

 

 

Bird  was viewed through bins  at  30  foot distance with very clear
views for about one half hour.

 

Notes were taken before consulting field guides.  Party members are
quite familiar with Great Crested Flycatcher, but were aware that
this was an unusual sighting.  

 

 

Thank you

Larry and  Jean  Fry