Northern Mockingbird - Grey Flycatcher

[Gord]

A slight improvement in the weather this afternoon prompted me to try a run up to Hope Airport to see what was shaking. Maybe not surprisingly the rain was still falling but it was at least light, and the wind was light. It can often howl up there.

At the weather station were four Western Kingbirds. All were interested in the little tower they historically have nested in. I would see five more towards the west from here too making a respectable nine. The rain combined with fighting caused the often-hidden red crown to be quite visible.

019_8439 by Gord G, on Flickr

Also on the north side west of the little terminal was a nice Lapland Longspur female keeping company with a Vesper Sparrow

019_8445 by Gord G, on Flickr

Everybody was wet today
019_8497 by Gord G, on Flickr

Back around to the south side closer to the west end I was looking at two Dusky Flycatchers when this guy popped right up in front of me! I believe the last one I saw was in our yard about five years ago.

019_8518 by Gord G, on Flickr

It would fly down into the short grass then return to the fence. Sometimes it would be far enough out so you could see it feeding.

019_8484 by Gord G, on Flickr


I was pleased with how bold it was. I had a hard time deciding what photo of a wet mockingbird I liked best

019_8530 by Gord G, on Flickr

019_8525 by Gord G, on Flickr


Not far from here I looked down and could see a flycatcher on the fence and despite the distance thought that tail wagging it was doing looked quite interesting for a Grey Flycatcher. Turns out it was such a thing. My second for that site.

It moved along the fence in a west direction and I never got very good photos sadly.

019_8502 by Gord G, on Flickr

019_8510 by Gord G, on Flickr


The video does show the tail dipping quite nicely.
youtu.be/ENR_OyeYwmA

However, a Dusky Flycatcher which looks very similar (ok, all the flycatchers look pretty similar) also can move its tail close to what a Grey does. This does not help. The trademark "Whit" call is the same between the two, and the only variance that one might notice is only that female and male make a slightly different "Whit!" Today there were a male and female as while calling at the same time a slight difference was noticeable.

A recent video of a Dusky Flycatcher with an active tail
youtu.be/adcObmv40-Q


Unexpected birds are fun to find, but, as I always encourage others, don't forget about the expected species! This Spotted Towhee male managed to stay drier than the rest of us.

019_8491 by Gord G, on Flickr


Sorry for the late report. My evening got away from me. . I hope people who are possibly interested check in the morning before heading out.

[Gord]

A few photos that show the subtle differences

Grey Flycatcher is a bit greyer bodied which results in the eye circle and wingbars sort of not standing out as much as on a Dusky whose body is a bit greener making the eyering and wingbars stand out better (best when the birds are in fresher plumage in the spring). Grey's bill is slightly longer than a Dusky but might not be apparent. The sharper black tip to the lower mandible on a Grey is often referred two but not that easy to see in the field. A Dusky's underbill is dark tipped in the spring but fades into the paler base rather than a sharp contrast.

Some Grey Flycatcher photos I got a couple years ago

Gray Flycatcher by Gord G, on Flickr

Gray Flycatcher by Gord G, on Flickr

Gray Flycatcher by Gord G, on Flickr


The last two are of a Dusky Flycatcher

Dusky Flycatcher by Gord G, on Flickr

Dusky Flycatcher by Gord G, on Flickr

[nickinthegarden]

Very interesting and tempting report on such a wet morning. I know some people might be jealous of your frequent sightings of uncommon birds but I know you to be very knowledgeable and spend a lot of time in the field and are willing to share many of your sightings. The fact you are becoming such a good photographer does make me a little jealous!
Thank you for letting us know.

[Ben]

I went looking for the Mockingbird this morning. Didn't find it.

I spent most of my time on the North side of the airport (I didn't read Gord's post carefully enough). I did end up finding the spot Gord saw it (south side of airport right where the mowed field turns into the wilder area on the west), but I only spent ~10 minutes looking there.... So it's possibly still around.

Niether were there any Flycatchers.

I *did* however see:

8 Western Kingbird
1 Bullock's Oriole
3 Mourning Dove
1 Vesper Sparrow
4 Western Meadowlark

[tysondanny]

Hi all,

I was at the airport later in the day just before noon on May 13. Most of the sightings I had were the nice regulars, Evening Grosbeak, MacGillivray's Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak and Cassin's Vireo. There was one active tail wagging and "whitting" Dusky Flycatcher along the north side in a small group of Douglas Fir trees across from the suspended gas pipeline entrance maintenance lot. This bird was not showy and usually stayed well hidden in the trees or on the airfield side of them. Always a great place to visit.

Dan Tyson
Langley, BC

[Randy]

Awesome finds Gord!! I like the barbed-wire photo the best.

As I mentioned to you after you posted this, a few days ago I heard a bird at my place that was reminiscent of a mockingbird but I wrote it off as not being possible (and I was with my kids) so I didn't investigate further. I wrote it off to a Steller's jay or something doing a funny call. Now I'm kicking myself!!

[Gord]

Danny, always nice to have you head out east!

Randy, it could be! Keep an eye out. Although, I am quite surprised that bird at the airport hasn't been seen as the weather was poor and it was seen later in the day meaning unlikely it moved on.