In a message dated 2/25/2008 2:36:32 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
writes:
"Wish I had been there earlier", or at least could get a refund for my 5
dollar
entry fee! I won't be making a repeat attempt (it's too far away and I
don't
have enough free time), but based on posts from today, perhaps the best
time to attempt seeing them is during the morning.
First, a big thanks to Bill Hubick for finally finding us some chaseable
Common Redpolls! I'm probably not the only one here who's been feeling that
sinking, now-or-never sensation as the last days of this very good finch winter
tick away.
As far as the best time of day is concerned, I'm a firm believer that early
is always better. On Sunday morning I arrived at the park as Matt Grey was
opening the gate and soon located the two Redpolls along the road just before
the first parking lot. For the first ten minutes or so they were extremely
hyper, flying from tree to tree and remaining perched for only a few seconds at
a time. Whenever they flew they gave their chittery rattle call, which was a
great aid in keeping track of them. Once on the ground they were silent and
could be very hard to spot.
The Redpolls were the final touch on a streak of natural history sensory
overload. It started last week with the lunar eclipse and the rings of Saturn
through the scope, the first time I've ever viewed this awesome, humbling
sight. Then came the Lewes pelagic on Saturday, which brought more personal
firsts, including a very cooperative Atlantic Puffin and Humpback Whales breaching
50 feet from the boat. It was a gray, somber winter day, the way the ocean
should be in winter, but the company was good and there were many things to
learn. Thanks to Paul Guris and his team of spotters for a very professional
trip.
Joel Martin
Catonsville, MD
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