Western KingbirdFinding a new species here in Vermont, for those of us who have birded a long time, is a rare event. This past Sunday I was scheduled to lead a marsh walk for Otter Creek Audubon (click here to find out how that turned out). I attribute my good luck in finding a rare bird to that event. On Saturday I went to our local ATM to procure lunch money for the following day. There, on a bulletin board, was an ad for a program at Mt. Independence that afternoon. The subject matter was of interest to me so I proceeded over to Orwell.
Driving along the Mt. Independence Road, I was watching for whatever birds are usual there, knowing I would see and hear Purple Martins by the farm. Just about a half mile from Mt. Independence, there sat a bird on the wire. I immediately thought Stop and look at this. Something is different. As soon as I got the bird in my binoculars I knew I really had something special – a Western Kingbird! Putting the four-way flashers on, I jumped out of the car with a camera in hand and took two photos before it flew off across the field.
Had it not been for the pending field trip, I would not have gone to the ATM, learned about the program, made my way to Orwell, and found the kingbird. So thank you OCAS for this most exciting find!
[What to do if you find a rare bird? Click here.]