Rob Bate reported today's VATH , this afternoon a lucky moment he was able to get a digiscoped photo. See his report below. This is an erratic scheduled bird, seemingly exploring the ridge area out of sight, and then occasionally coming down to the pool edges. IT appears to hide in brush spots ( from the photo as an example) .Good luck if you try for this fantastic bright bird this weekend, nowadays a bright beacon under cloudy dreary skies all week. (wheres the sun ?)
Waterbirds dominated the other days news. All three merganser species continued their presence on Prospect Lake, most notably the sight of two hen COMMON MERGANSERs (COME) ; COME using most areas of the south side of the lake, I was delighted in seeing both fly towards me at the West Island shelter, and land much closer for my observation. Off farther 4 RED-BREASTED was joined by another drake making it 4 drakes in the lake center of five total. HORNED GREBE continues to stay around, certainly much to our delight for its park rarity for three weeks now. For RING-NECKED DUCKS , a mixed pair was spotted at West Island, then waded towards Three Sisters.
Dennis H texted me this afternoon that it was the first time he saw WOOD DUCK in the same area as RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS , for those of you who don't know that the latter species is mostly salt water species and the former a freshwater bird. Dennis mentioned perhaps a delicate detente in progress....
The feeders are active , particularly with several PINE SISKINS with the usual birds. I refilled some of the feeders but one bag remains ( Thanks to Gil Shrank for donation), and this will be the last bag, perhaps another week before the feeders will come down.So , enjoy the home stretch, all good things must come to an end, as winter fades and spring blossoms , ( so mentioned Rob Bate ; and thanks to Rob for taking care of the feeders all winter). .
Addenum : From Ebirds Yahoo group listserve, an Ethan Goodman reported the VATH tonight at 640.
his post said : 6:40pm perched in trees along ambergill about 50 feet from main path bridge
********
From Rob Bate
Things are starting to build. Many Robins on the fields and in the woods. Wood Duck along Lullwater and the first Phoebes for me this year. Also Varied Thrush put in a nice appearance at the Ambergill Pool where it has frequently been seen. Digiscope photo where it flew to in the woods.
Mar 15, 2013 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Canada Goose X
Wood Duck 1 Along Lullwater, my FOY
Gadwall 1
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Ring-necked Duck 2
Bufflehead 1
Hooded Merganser 5
Red-breasted Merganser 6
Ruddy Duck X
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Horned Grebe 1 Lake by Wellhouse
American Coot X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker X
Peregrine Falcon 1
Eastern Phoebe 2 One along Lullwater and one by Lower Pool
Blue Jay X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
Winter Wren 2
Carolina Wren 1
American Robin 100 All over the place
Varied Thrush 1 Continuing bird at Ambergill Pool
European Starling X
American Tree Sparrow 3
Fox Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Common Grackle 1
House Finch 10
Pine Siskin 5
House Sparrow X
