Date: 10/31/24 12:47 pm From: Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Dusky-capped Flycatcher retraction
It would figure that I finally found something worth posting about, only to have misidentified it. The bird I reported as a Dusky-capped Flycatcher was in fact the continuing Western Wood-Pewee. I guess I'll leave the rare bird finding to Todd Easterla.
Tom BensonRedlands, CA
On Friday, October 25, 2024 at 08:05:58 PM PDT, Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson...> wrote:
I spent today, Oct 25, birding along the Colorado River near Blythe in search of some recently found rarities. I started the morning at Cibola NWR south of Palo Verde (Imperial County), where I saw the continuing Ash-throated Flycatcher, Cassin's Kingbird, and Thick-billed Kingbird. The Thick-billed Kingbird was relatively uncooperative, calling infrequently and not perching conspicuously for most of the 90 minutes I was there. While trying to locate the kingbird, I heard a Dusky-capped Flycatcher calling. I tracked it into the brushy swale on the west side of the road. I saw it briefly, but was being assaulted by mosquitoes so I returned to the road. I recommend bug repellent if you try for these birds.
I then returned to Blythe (Riverside County) to look for a Sprague's Pipit found earlier in the week, only to discover that the field had been plowed and no longer appeared suitable for this species. Stops in the afternoon at Mayflower Park and Palo Verde Ecological Reserve yielded more mosquitoes and no unexpected birds, and a stop at Chiriaco Summit on the way home, while unexciting, was pleasantly mosquito-free.
Tom BensonRedlands, CA
