Post by Gord on Apr 20, 2006 14:55:53 GMT -8
Ok, here I go again with another possible oddity. Take it or leave it!! ;D I am cautious with sharing suspicions, but also not scared to do so as I think a lot of cool birds get missed because people are scared to say something nuts in fear of being ridiculed. That wont happen here! 
Here are the details.
I was at Cheam Lake this afternoon at the start of the loop trail at the raised section on the lake. I saw a little bird moving in the grass right at the edge of the trail. I pished at it and moved a bit closer and it dove out into the cattails a little bit. Right away, I noticed it was a sandy-tan colour, lighter than a marsh wren I thought and there was pattern on wings or side/back. It was shaped like a marsh wren. The back did not have anything obvious but I only had a split second look at the back when it flew into the cattails. I tried to get a good look for quite a few minutes, but it was very shy, and only rustling grass was the best I could see. The last I saw of it was when it flew across the trail about 10 feet ahead of me and went into the grass. Definately lighter coloured than a marsh wren and there was an almost rusty patch on its tail. I might have even said it looked a bit smaller, but by now I was starting to get a little excited. The whole time it was silent (unlike the marsh wren male singing near by) but didnt seem to be interested in my pishing (which is common as Im a terrible pisher) although the marsh wren took the time to scold my brutal efforts and a common yellowthroat poked his head up just to be polite.
The fieldmarks noted above were what I took down in notes before consulting a bird guide as is a good idea when documenting something one suspects is rare.
Now that Im consulting guides and comparing to my notes, I wonder if it's a sedge wren, but would sure like to have another look before I start betting money on it. If it does turn out to be a marsh wren, it will be an odd one.
Maybe db will get a chance to look for it? With the rain moving in, I doubt anything that's migrating will move tonight. I will certainly try again later tomorrow as well.
Here are the details.
I was at Cheam Lake this afternoon at the start of the loop trail at the raised section on the lake. I saw a little bird moving in the grass right at the edge of the trail. I pished at it and moved a bit closer and it dove out into the cattails a little bit. Right away, I noticed it was a sandy-tan colour, lighter than a marsh wren I thought and there was pattern on wings or side/back. It was shaped like a marsh wren. The back did not have anything obvious but I only had a split second look at the back when it flew into the cattails. I tried to get a good look for quite a few minutes, but it was very shy, and only rustling grass was the best I could see. The last I saw of it was when it flew across the trail about 10 feet ahead of me and went into the grass. Definately lighter coloured than a marsh wren and there was an almost rusty patch on its tail. I might have even said it looked a bit smaller, but by now I was starting to get a little excited. The whole time it was silent (unlike the marsh wren male singing near by) but didnt seem to be interested in my pishing (which is common as Im a terrible pisher) although the marsh wren took the time to scold my brutal efforts and a common yellowthroat poked his head up just to be polite.
The fieldmarks noted above were what I took down in notes before consulting a bird guide as is a good idea when documenting something one suspects is rare.
Now that Im consulting guides and comparing to my notes, I wonder if it's a sedge wren, but would sure like to have another look before I start betting money on it. If it does turn out to be a marsh wren, it will be an odd one.
Maybe db will get a chance to look for it? With the rain moving in, I doubt anything that's migrating will move tonight. I will certainly try again later tomorrow as well.
Others???