Several times when the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher flew from the weedy field back to the wires over the road it carried food in its bill, which it then ate fairly promptly. My impression twice was of a substantial critter with a hind leg like a grasshopper or cricket, but there was little time to see and no chance to maneuver for a better viewing angle. It's the sort of ID problem that I think birders could get good at with practice, though, especially when the Flycatcher comes in close like that. I didn't see it chasing or maneuvering much when it changed perches, but there was no doubt it was well fed. I hope it moved on to someplace where it's more likely to survive the winter. I just wonder about the fact that it was sharing the field with a Northern Shrike (how often does that happen?). Has the shrike been seen since, and is it substantially fatter? --Dave Nutter
On Wednesday, October 28, 2009, at 07:07AM, "John and Sue Gregoire" <[email protected]> wrote: >Thanks to George for pointing out that "spoor" is Dutch for "spur". If you >look at >that road it is an extension of one of the two old RR beds. > >Meena, et al who were fortunate to see this birds. Did any of you note what it >was >feeding on? We assume it tanked-up on Monday before departing. If Sunday was >anything like Monday the area was replete with Sympetrum vicinum (Autumn >Meadowhawk) >dragonflys, many of them in tandem (mating)posture and easy targets. Was the >flycatcher feeding on these? Thanks. >J&S >-- >John and Sue Gregoire >Field Ornithologists >Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Observatory >5373 Fitzgerald Road >Burdett,NY 14818-9626 > Website: http://www.empacc.net/~kestrelhaven/ >"Conserve and Create Habitat" > > > > >-- > >Cayugabirds-L List Info: >http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME >http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES > >Archives: >1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html >2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html > >Please submit your observations to eBird: >http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > >-- > > -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
