Saturday, April 23, 2011

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

The season's first Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was enjoyed by many people today, along the south side of The Nature Conservancy's Migratory Bird Refuge (known to us all as the South Cape May Meadows). I later heard of a message left on the Northwood Center voicemail from a caller who reported the bird late on Friday. If you let me know your name, I'll credit you as the finder!

Wet and windy weather overnight didn't deter birders and plenty of people were out under overcast skies and in blustery winds to enjoy Cape May and its birds. Lake Lily was pretty amazing this morning as a smorgasbord of hirundines caught insects low over the water - and along nearby streets too. Barn, Bank, Tree, Cliff and Northern Rough-winged Swallows were all there to be found, along with one or two Chimney Swifts which joined them for a while. The Glaucous Gull was reported from South Cape May Beach this morning and good numbers of warblers continue around the Northwood Center.

The sun is putting in an appearance now and promises to show up for tomorrow - let's bird!

Tony Leukering somehow managed to get this awesome shot of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher today. Not only did he get the bird, but you can see a stack of flies in the picture too! The sharp-eyed amongst you all will notice the very narrow outer portion to the outermost visible primary, which makes this an adult male. The super long tail and extent of red supports this too.

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