I have received several e-mails from folks commenting on the Myiarchus
flycatcher I found at Craney Island this past Saturday. Everyone believes
that the bird was an Ash-throated Flycatcher, mainly due to the description
of the call note given by the bird.
I did go back and look for the bird the next day and this past Wednesday,
but failed to find the bird again.
The flycatcher was most likely an Ash-throated Flycatcher, but I still have
a few doubts. My doubts probably come from my inexperience with identify
Myiarchus species so carefully. During the summer here, I always assume a
Myiarchus is a Great-crested Flycatcher. Of course, these birds usually
confirm this ID by calling up a storm of "Cresty" notes. This bird had a
bright plumage, in my opinion. Then again, plumage brightness is relative
and can depend on the viewing conditions.
The calls I heard from the bird strongly suggest Ash-throated Flycatcher.
The calls and the greater probability of an Ash-throated at this time of the
year cause me to think that the bird was probably an Ash-throated. If I
kept my bird list up-to-date, which I have been proven too lazy to do, I
would leave this bird as a Myiarchus species because I am not certain.
On a different note, I saw two Tundra Swans flying northeast over I-664 near
the Portsmouth Blvd (Rt. 337) exit on Wednesday afternoon.
Elisa Enders
Portsmouth, VA
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