There is a joy of seeing a bird by yourself without anyone telling you
what it is and - given cooperation with the bird and time - correcting
IDing a lifer bird beyond any doubt - and even coming home and
researching more and being confirmed. Such happened to me today -
twice!
New lifer birds seen by me at Murphy Hanrehan:
Connecticut Warbler
Gray-Cheeked Thrush
Also got some FOYs for me
Blue-winged Warbler (actually remembered the call)
Ovenbird (much patience)
I also was scared witless (similar to when the pheasant flushed right
next to me) when I inadvertently (and apparently) flushed a Blue-
shorted, T-shirted Runnerdude. I was shocked to see it come rushing
out of the trail. I had thought I was beyond their range but they
have apparently spread out of their tradition spring range - possibly
for the extra food items available in our Minnesota springs. I was
grateful that as it traditionally rushed straight at me at great
speed, it diverted its direction, just missing me with a soft plop-
plop-plop and a silent whoosh. I love how they establish eye contact
and, I would swear, if I can anthropomorphize, it even seemed to wink
at me and seemed to smile and mouth something. It appeared to have
been captured and tagged with white wire streamers on either side of
its head that ran to some sort of transmitter - possibly being tracked
even as it passed me. It was a true FOY for me. An exciting day, all
in all.
Thomas Maiello
Angel Environmental Management, Inc.
Maple Grove, MN
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