[CT Birds] Sunrise Birding Walk SISP - Oriole Sp.

[streatham2003 at aol.com]

Hi All,

A very quiet day at Sherwood Island was brightened by just a couple of sightings. Firstly 4 adult male White-winged Scoters continuing fairly close in between Sherwood and Compo Beaches and then cracking looks at an American Kestrel hunting over the fields hunting and almost seeming to come in and perch up just for the groups amusement in a perfectly lit cedar tree. While we are on raptors there is also a rather cool looking adult Red-tail with a load of leucistic feathers in its wings which looks pretty funky in flight.? Highlight and also frustration of the day? however was a rather sharp-eyed spot by Sara Zagorski as we were hunting through the ornamental pine grove for finches. She located an Oriole perched low on the remain of a pokeberry bush. Unfortunately the bird was being hassled by a mockingbird and after just a few moments viewing it buried itself back into a pine. It momentarily reappeared and as I went to get it in the scope it flushed through the pines and out of line of sight. 

The group eagerly gave up the rest of the walk as we split up to try thoroughly cover the stand. Unfortunately we couldn't relocate the bird. After flicking through pictures online this evening I think that although my heart would have loved it to have been a Bullock's my head says that it was probably a Baltimore. I just wish I'd been better prepared for what to look for as far as distinguishing field marks beforehand (thanks to Nick Bonomo and Frank Gallo for talking over them with me on the phone). There were a couple of field marks that were suggestive of Bullock's, but also a couple that seemed to tilt the ID in the other direction. Whichever species it was it would have just been nice to have relocated it and have it hang on for the Christmas bird count. As I understand it Nick spent a little while trying to relocate the bird without any luck later in the day. 

It was an interesting experience, but I always feel frustrated when you have to leave a birding identification mystery unsolved. If you are in the vicinity of Sherwood tomorrow you might want to keep your eyes peeled.

Luke Tiller
www.sunrisebirding.com

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