Re: [CT Birds] Willow or Alder?
Hi Greg,
While I have never seen them "on territory" south of Waterbury I rarely
if ever bird any areas between Waterbury and White and didn't know the
ones I've seen there have historically been the southernmost ones. I
might just try to find time to go and hear this guy as it must be
interesting to here a song that has similarities to both when their
normal calls are fairly different.
Great info to have especially with birds like these which in the absence of song/calls can be a tough call!
Thanks,
Jim
The Fat Robin Wild Bird and Nature Shop
3000 Whitney Ave. Hamden, CT 06518
www.fatrobin.com
203-248-7068
Toll Free U.S. 1-866-Fat-Robin
Jim Zipp Bird Photography www.JimZipp.com
Hello Jim,
This is one of the fascinating things about Alder Flycatcher. It seems to
have a very clearly demarcated southern limit in the state. So far, I'm not
aware of any breaking out. That 8 miles might as well be 80 based on
happenings to date. But things have changed in that direction with other
birds (sapsucker, raven), and quite quickly, so you never know when a bird
like this Watertown guy will represent a move away from the norm. That's a
great thing about this list. If it starts to happen, we can share info very
easily.
Greg Hanisek
Waterbury
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Zipp" jimzipp@sbcglobal.net
To: "William Sweet" w.sweet@sbcglobal.net; ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:56 PM
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Willow or Alder?
Looking on Google Earth, if I'm not mistaken it looks like it's only about
8 miles "as the flycatcher flies" from that park to Cranberry Pond in
White Memorial where in past years I've found Alders apparently nesting.
Greg knows the habitat better for sure but if the habitat would support
them, it doesn't seem a stretch for them to be found that short a distance
away. Nice find.
Jim
The Fat Robin Wild Bird and Nature Shop
3000 Whitney Ave. Hamden, CT 06518
www.fatrobin.com
203-248-7068
Toll Free U.S. 1-866-Fat-Robin
Jim Zipp Bird Photography www.JimZipp.com
----- Original Message ----
From: William Sweet w.sweet@sbcglobal.net
To: William Sweet w.sweet@sbcglobal.net; ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Tuesday, June 3, 2008 3:47:31 PM
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Willow or Alder?
Bill,
Your recollection of my thoughts last year are right on the money.
Funny you
should post this, because I went up to the site a week or so ago and
heard
what I assume is the same bird in the same place. While I was there he
sounded very much like an Alder, despite my doubts about an Alder being
in
that location. I was going to post something then but never got around
to
it. As I listened to song after song I thought maybe this is an Alder
and
they're going to start a little southward range expansion, ala
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. I was probably influenced by the fact that
there
was a sapsucker there at the time drumming on a utility pole (well
south of
that species' historic range in CT)!
So the safe answer right now is: interesting and I'm not really sure
what's
up.
Greg Hanisek
Waterbury
William Sweet w.sweet@sbcglobal.net wrote: Last year I posted on the
subject of a possible Alder Flycatcher in Veteran's Park in Watertown
(actually in the powerline cut behind the park). The song was so much like
an Alder to me that I recorded it as such for a couple of years in my
journal.
After the post last year, Greg Hanisek investigated this bird and he
agreed it was a song very much like an Alder but he was leaning toward a
Willow singing like an Alder as the habitat is very much Willow friendly.
Greg - please correct me if I'm wrong with your estimation.
Anyway - Today at noon I took a walk in the powerline cut and heard a
flycatcher song that was a little more Willow than Alder but yet still
mixed... not quite a pure Willow song. It will be interesting to see (if
this bird hangs around) if this song becomes more Alder-like as it settles
in over the next month as in the previous years.
If anyone is interested... Veteran's Park in Watertown is on Nova Scotia
Drive off of 262. If you drive the loop-road and come to the basketball
courts... Park there. The path to the powerline cut is across from the
courts. Keep straight on the path and goes to the right and connects to a
service trail. Walk that service trail. This area has been pretty good
birding over the years.
This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
Jim,
My place of work borders this park and I've spent considerable time birding this area over the years. If you would like to meet me there and bring you to the spot, let me know. I usually have liberty to leave work for some time and would be happy to bring you to the area which holds this bird.
Bill Sweet
Jim Zipp jimzipp@sbcglobal.net wrote:
Hi Greg,
While I have never seen them "on territory" south of Waterbury I rarely
if ever bird any areas between Waterbury and White and didn't know the
ones I've seen there have historically been the southernmost ones. I
might just try to find time to go and hear this guy as it must be
interesting to here a song that has similarities to both when their
normal calls are fairly different.
Great info to have especially with birds like these which in the absence of song/calls can be a tough call!
Thanks,
Jim
The Fat Robin Wild Bird and Nature Shop
3000 Whitney Ave. Hamden, CT 06518
www.fatrobin.com
203-248-7068
Toll Free U.S. 1-866-Fat-Robin
Jim Zipp Bird Photography www.JimZipp.com
Hello Jim,
This is one of the fascinating things about Alder Flycatcher. It seems to
have a very clearly demarcated southern limit in the state. So far, I'm not
aware of any breaking out. That 8 miles might as well be 80 based on
happenings to date. But things have changed in that direction with other
birds (sapsucker, raven), and quite quickly, so you never know when a bird
like this Watertown guy will represent a move away from the norm. That's a
great thing about this list. If it starts to happen, we can share info very
easily.
Greg Hanisek
Waterbury
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Zipp"
To: "William Sweet" ;
Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:56 PM
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Willow or Alder?
Looking on Google Earth, if I'm not mistaken it looks like it's only about
8 miles "as the flycatcher flies" from that park to Cranberry Pond in
White Memorial where in past years I've found Alders apparently nesting.
Greg knows the habitat better for sure but if the habitat would support
them, it doesn't seem a stretch for them to be found that short a distance
away. Nice find.
Jim
The Fat Robin Wild Bird and Nature Shop
3000 Whitney Ave. Hamden, CT 06518
www.fatrobin.com
203-248-7068
Toll Free U.S. 1-866-Fat-Robin
Jim Zipp Bird Photography www.JimZipp.com
----- Original Message ----
From: William Sweet
To: William Sweet ; ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Tuesday, June 3, 2008 3:47:31 PM
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Willow or Alder?
Bill,
Your recollection of my thoughts last year are right on the money.
Funny you
should post this, because I went up to the site a week or so ago and
heard
what I assume is the same bird in the same place. While I was there he
sounded very much like an Alder, despite my doubts about an Alder being
in
that location. I was going to post something then but never got around
to
it. As I listened to song after song I thought maybe this is an Alder
and
they're going to start a little southward range expansion, ala
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. I was probably influenced by the fact that
there
was a sapsucker there at the time drumming on a utility pole (well
south of
that species' historic range in CT)!
So the safe answer right now is: interesting and I'm not really sure
what's
up.
Greg Hanisek
Waterbury
William Sweet wrote: Last year I posted on the
subject of a possible Alder Flycatcher in Veteran's Park in Watertown
(actually in the powerline cut behind the park). The song was so much like
an Alder to me that I recorded it as such for a couple of years in my
journal.
After the post last year, Greg Hanisek investigated this bird and he
agreed it was a song very much like an Alder but he was leaning toward a
Willow singing like an Alder as the habitat is very much Willow friendly.
Greg - please correct me if I'm wrong with your estimation.
Anyway - Today at noon I took a walk in the powerline cut and heard a
flycatcher song that was a little more Willow than Alder but yet still
mixed... not quite a pure Willow song. It will be interesting to see (if
this bird hangs around) if this song becomes more Alder-like as it settles
in over the next month as in the previous years.
If anyone is interested... Veteran's Park in Watertown is on Nova Scotia
Drive off of 262. If you drive the loop-road and come to the basketball
courts... Park there. The path to the powerline cut is across from the
courts. Keep straight on the path and goes to the right and connects to a
service trail. Walk that service trail. This area has been pretty good
birding over the years.
This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org