When I left New Hampshire with 39 warblers I was disappointed and didn’t think I had a chance to get to an even 40. That chance just arose. A Tropical Parula has been seen in Florida Canyon, Santa Ritas, off and on since 27 August. Today I gave chase, arriving at 7:20. The parking lot – not surprisingly – was full so I had to double park. “I’ll just be a moment.” I was lucky to arrive when I did. The bird was present when I got to the site, I watched it for a minute, (470)(ABA 635) and then it vanished. I waited around for an hour and a half and like most others, gave up on a second look. Down time was filled by a soaring Golden Eagle overhead and a Canyon Tree Frog on the side of the water tank.
For the curious, I drafted a list of the 40 warblers seen this year:
Now only 4 days until I leave for Monterey. Yesterday’s high there was 71 versus 92 here. It will be even cooler out on the sea. A Ruff just showed up at Moon Glow dairy Wednesday and with luck will linger a few days more.
To keep your mind sharp I have a new Puzzler, this one photographic. It’s straight forward – name that bird:
The picture was taken by me, this year, “somewhere” in North America. Use any outside sources available.
I’ve added another trip to the Big Year. I left Texas in April a little sore that I missed many birds I hoped to see. I missed the seadeater, Audubon’s Oriole, Ringed Kingfisher, and Red-billed Pigeon. To keep it from eating at me, I signed up for the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival in November. Normally I prefer to find my own birds but that didn’t go so well so I’m trying this. One of the trips is a Big Day van. Imagine, a Big Day within a Big Year. Does it get any bigger?
robsbigyear2019.com 