The other day I posted a note about whether there might be a yellow-breasted
flycatcher along the Switzer Dam road. Yesterday we were back. We heard
and saw two flycatchers. One was definitely an Eastern wood-pewee, and the
other call matched the yellow-bellied flycatcher turree song. We heard the
birds repeatedly, then ultimately the wood-pewee came close to us.
While it was close, we also heard the call that sounded to be the
yellow-bellied flycatcher turree song. We decided the Eastern wood-pewee
must have a vocalization that more closely resembles the yellow-bellied
flycatcher turree song than our IPod "Bird Tunes" software lists. While
this may be the case, I am reminded that two flycatchers got into a
squabble, so the second bird was also close by. Is there a chance the
second bird was indeed a yellow-bellied flycatcher?
We later had the opportunity to listen to the Eastern wood-pewee on another
software application, and that program still did not list a wood-pewee song
that as closely resembled the yellow-bellied turree song as what we heard.
Having said all the above, we are leaning toward the call to be that of a
wood-pewee, and just different from any our software lists.
If any of you wish to listen for this bird, we have been hearing it at the
first, wide corner on Switzer Dam road.
The boys and I have been enjoying photographing a variety of birds recently.
The pileated woodpeckers at the nest in the JMU arboretum are feeding young,
and providing some nice opportunity.
http://www.naturefriendmagazine.com/photos.pl?catid=28
The boys discovered a red-eyed vireo nest beside our garage. It will be fun
to watch. http://www.naturefriendmagazine.com/photos.pl?catid=90
Eastern wood-pewee: http://www.naturefriendmagazine.com/photos.pl?catid=92
Whip-poor-will nest: http://www.naturefriendmagazine.com/photos.pl?catid=93
Warbler photo categories recently added to:
Hooded: http://www.naturefriendmagazine.com/photos.pl?catid=78
Yellow: http://www.naturefriendmagazine.com/photos.pl?catid=78
Chestnut-sided: http://www.naturefriendmagazine.com/photos.pl?catid=75
Blackburnian: http://www.naturefriendmagazine.com/photos.pl?catid=76
Kevin Shank
Rockingham County
P. S. The chuck-will's-widow was singing near our home shortly after dark
this evening.
