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Posted by Toe on 16:27:02 09/12/09
Fifteen motivated, fearless, and completely self-aware birders ventured out to face the dangers of the wild in the Cutler area. We first headed to Sadowski in search of migrants, where the first danger we faced was - a complete lack of migrants! OK, so maybe that's a stretch. We managed to scrape up 7 warbler species, plus a couple of Baltimore Orioles, Eastern Kingbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and a lingering Chimney Swift. We heard large groups of biklysts, but we weren't in any danger since they stuck to the roads. Don't they realize how loud they talk when on their bicycles? They scream out their most personal problems: "So Bob, is it true your wife is cheating on you? Yeah, with the pool guy!"
We then went to the area just outside Deering Estate and found only a couple of warblers and hawks, but we got right in the line of fire from the bicyclists. The groups were smaller than usual, with no group bigger than 300. We had to form a single file and stick to the side of the road in order to make it back to the cars with minimal casualties.
At Cutler Wetlands we found only a couple of Yellowlegs, Dowitchers, Black-necked Stilts, and some Blue-winged Teal. To my surprise, the horde of Mottled Ducks had move on, with only two left behind. We then went to Dump Marsh, where we only saw a couple of warblers but almost came under fire from fighter jets, obviously a coordinated attack with the bicyclists.
Thanks to all who joined. Despite the few birds, we had a good time and put in a good effort. I'll leave you with this question: who makes a better fashion statement, the birders or the bicyclists? Hum???
Here are the highlights:
Yellow-throated Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
N. Parula
N. Waterthrush
Ovenbird
Redstart
Baltimore Oriole
Great-crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Chimney Swift
Cooper's Hawks
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-eyed Vireo
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Black-necked Stilt
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Dowitcher Sp.
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