Driving into Corning this afternoon at 2:45 pm on NY 352 near the Gibson bridge, and I see what appeared to be a 3/4 size Belted Kingfisher running across my lane with very fast steps. Large distinctive head, big beak, blue color. Overall body configuration fit a Kingfisher.
It was going the wrong way relative to the Chemung River. This is not immediately at the river but separated by this four traffic lanes, a railroad and then the divided four lanes of NY 17 with the concrete center barrier. I swerved to the right and missed it, and car behind me swerved the opposite way to also miss the bird, and I saw the bird continuing north away from the river. Really odd. (I had not be drinking anything more potent than tea.) Some questions come to mind that I hope someone can comment on. Is it time for Belted Kingfishers to be fledging? Looked at Kauffman and it is no help relative to timing. Has anyone seen what appeared to be fledged Kingfishers this early? Do Belted Kingfishers nest in steep banks any distance from water? There is a small side stream nearby and it has a steep bank. I wonder if it could be trying to reach the river. Those New Jersey crash barriers trap a lot of wildlife. Is there anything else that could look extremely like a Belted Kingfisher? Can’t think of anything. Certainly not a Bluejay. Appreciate any comments other than anything relating to hallucinations. Paul Schmitt -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
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