Great Crested Flycatcher Island 22 Oct 29

[Randy]

Ha ha! I love the auto-correct version!!

[Chris]

Just to add to Gord's report. After Dave and Gord left, myself and Jason watched the bird for another 20 minutes approximately. It was at the top of the cottonwoods the whole time. Just after five it flew down to a lower branch and we lost it. It was dark so we think it may have come down to roost.

West of the boat launch in the dog park and the triangle are probably the best bets to check out. I would probably walk the dyke as it is easier to see the tops of trees.

[kevinhhood]

I don't normally "twitch" but this might just be big enough and close enough.

The Weather Network is calling for 15-20mm of rain Saturday morning and 10mm more in the afternoon. Is there much chance of finding it in that kind of weather?  Would first thing in the morning still be the best time to be there?

 

[Chris]

I think there is a very good chance of finding in that type of weather Kevin. It doesn't make for ideal viewing conditions though. I don't think you will have to get there right away but the I think morning would be better than afternoon.

[Gord]

Like Chris says, the rain wont be the nicest, but the bird should show all the same. It's the wind that worries me. Sounds like it may get up sometime tomorrow and if it does, it's almost always a guarantee it will be windy at Island 22 too. It's tougher birding in the wind and the bird that has been fairly easy to find up in the canopy may very likely move down into the lower stories and be more difficult to find. The remaining leaves on the trees will also be blowing all over causing movement everywhere.

Im not sure if it will show at first light necessarily, but I think coming in the morning may be the best option. It will probably start its day not too far from where Chris and Jason had it at dusk. There are a few conifers in that area where it's likely sleeping in the great cover a conifer provides. Or maybe it's in one of my screech-owl boxes (sans screech-owl of course!!!!) but Im not sure if they use cavities for other than nesting (neat fact about this genus of bird is that they nest in cavities like swallows, wrens and woodpeckers).

[kevinhhood]

Thanks for the info.  The Weather Network, if you trust them, is indicating winds (SSW) of 15kph in the morning (no gusts indicated) and winds (SSW) of 20kph in the afternoon with gusts to 35kph. Sounds like the morning is the less windy option though with more rain. I guess I'll just see what things look like in the morning.

So, if I bring a thermos of coffee for myself and one full of warm insects for the flycatcher I wonder if it'll show more readily?

[kestrel]

What a great find!

[Gord]

A few birders put in a valiant effort this morning but with no luck. The weather was poor for most of the morning but there were a few breaks where things looked promising. It was good to see some old faces and meet a few new ones.

I am certain the bird is still there; it's just not in a hurry to get out in the elements. There is a suggestion of weather improvement tomorrow and/or Monday which may be worthwhile. Stay tuned for updates.

[Chris]

Too bad it didn't show. I couldn't make it out in the morning. I live pretty close by and I had time in the afternoon but the weather was terrible. It was pretty windy in the morning as well.

Weather permitting I should be out there tomorrow morning. If I see it I will post an update right away with my phone.

[Gord]

Weather is in great shape with no wind. Anticipating it showing up by midday at the latest when the air warms and the bugs get more active. Ill be poking around around then too. Chris is onsite and looking now.

[Chris]

I along with a few other birders put in a strong effort today but so far have not turned up the bird. It might be worthwhile to check later in the afternoon as both days it has been seen has been the afternoon. I will pass anything along if I hear it has been relocated. Some other good birds were seen, Ruffed Grouse, ROugh-legged Hawk, Hermit Thrush and at least 2000Cackling Geese in the small pond by the entrance.

It was also nice meeting some new faces as well.

[Gord]

A quick recap from the day.

Several birders spent a good amount of time in the park looking for this bird. Despite the warmer sunny weather that started in the early afternoon and got lots of insects flying around, the bird did not show as it was expected to.

I'm personally quite surprised. I dont think it would have been too active yesterday in the horrible weather. It seems to be fairly dedicated to the west section of the park but then in talking with Mike and Sharon they said that in addition to Chris' and Len's efforts on Wednesday (day after it was originally seen) several other birders looked around on both Wednesday and Thursday. Both days were pretty nice weather-wise but no bird was found on either day. So, perhaps it does move around a bit but does come back. Speculation/hope but it's a nice thought to entertain.

With all the eyes in the park today, some neat birds were seen including:
Ceder Waxwing
Snow Geese
Bonaparte's Gull
Hermit Thrush
Ruffed Grouse
Rough-legged Hawk (only second record for the park)
Yellow-rumped Warbler

Of course nice to see and visit with birders who do not get out this way that often and some of whom I have not seen for years.

Hoping for luck tomorrow.

[Gord]

Around midday today I spent about 30 minutes looking for the bird. No luck, needless to say, but the park seemed busier birdwise than yesterday. A good-sized flock of Am. Robins, a half-dozen Ruby-crowned Kinglets with a few other birds were in the middle of the area where the bird has usually been seen which made me optimistic it would show in the nice warm sun.

It sounds like a few birders gave it a try this morning and I assume with no luck. Chris may have went for a look this afternoon.

We'll continue to keep an eye on the area the best we can.

[Chris]

I did a late afternoon walk. Searched where the bird has been seen but no luck. I was very surprised it wasn't seen on the Saturday.

[Isaac]

Great find!