Traill's Flycatcher-Probable Willow's @ A.D. Barnes

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Posted by Paul Bithorn on 18:45:53 09/11/04

This morning, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, September 11, 2004, still high from last night's incredible comeback victory by the Miami Hurricanes over the Florida State Seminoles, I decided to check out A.D. Barnes Park for fall migrants. I would not be disappointed. Species seen included: Worm-Eating, Black-throated Blue and Black and White Warblers, Northern Parula,Ovenbird, Yellow Throated Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers,Barn Swallow and Summer Tanager. Five Chestnut-fronted Macaws,White-crowned Pigeons and Hill Mynas were also seen.

However,the showstopper was a Traill's Flycatcher seen by Conrad Sankpill and I in the weedy area northwest of the park's office trailer, near where the canoes are kept. We had the opportunity to closely study the bird in good light, while it sallied for insects. We immediately eliminated Acadian due to the lack of long primary extensions and the lack of buffy wingbars that an Acadian would exhibit after molting before fall migration.

This bird had a crested appearance, greenish back, white wingbars and throat, grayish wash in the breast a yellow lower mandible and lacked a prominent eyering. While Conrad, who lives in Key Largo, was on the phone with his meteorologist getting updates on Hurricane Ivan, I watched the bird chase a Ruddy Daggerwing butterfly. He made a single, faint whit call, probably out of frustation, until he finally capured the elusive butterfly.

The above description certainly leans towards Willow Flycatcher versus Alder. Unfortunately,we could not get the bird to call again and had no tape to attempt to elicit another call note for this most difficult of ID's.My only experience with this species is at Gallup Park in Ann Arbor, Michigan.Maybe after the Matheson Hammock walk tomorrow, we can relocate the bird. Any tapes and cameras would be appreciated for the purposes of documentaion.We had an Alder Flycatcher respond to a tape several years ago in the same area.

Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Life is good...... and yes I'm proud to be a Miami Hurricane fan!

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Comments:	: This morning, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, September 11, 2004, still high from last night's incredible comeback victory by the Miami Hurricanes over the Florida State Seminoles, I decided to check out A.D. Barnes Park for fall migrants. I would not be disappointed. Species seen included: Worm-Eating, Black-throated Blue and Black and White Warblers, Northern Parula,Ovenbird, Yellow Throated Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers,Barn Swallow and Summer Tanager. Five Chestnut-fronted Macaws,White-crowned Pigeons and Hill Mynas were also seen. : : However,the showstopper was a Traill's Flycatcher seen by Conrad Sankpill and I in the weedy area northwest of the park's office trailer, near where the canoes are kept. We had the opportunity to closely study the bird in good light, while it sallied for insects. We immediately eliminated Acadian due to the lack of long primary extensions and the lack of buffy wingbars that an Acadian would exhibit after molting before fall migration. : : This bird had a crested appearance, greenish back, white wingbars and throat, grayish wash in the breast a yellow lower mandible and lacked a prominent eyering. While Conrad, who lives in Key Largo, was on the phone with his meteorologist getting updates on Hurricane Ivan, I watched the bird chase a Ruddy Daggerwing butterfly. He made a single, faint whit call, probably out of frustation, until he finally capured the elusive butterfly. : : The above description certainly leans towards Willow Flycatcher versus Alder. Unfortunately,we could not get the bird to call again and had no tape to attempt to elicit another call note for this most difficult of ID's.My only experience with this species is at Gallup Park in Ann Arbor, Michigan.Maybe after the Matheson Hammock walk tomorrow, we can relocate the bird. Any tapes and cameras would be appreciated for the purposes of documentaion.We had an Alder Flycatcher respond to a tape several years ago in the same area. : : Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Life is good...... and yes I'm proud to be a Miami Hurricane fan! : : :
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