Date: 5/20/25 8:20 pm From: Leonie Batkin via groups.io <leonie.batkin23...> Subject: [CALBIRDS] Vermilion Flycatchers Breeding in Northern California
Hello Cal Birders-
Today Ron Thorn and I, Leonie Batkin, followed up on reports from Deb House on April 2, 2025 and Susan and Bob Steele on May 11th of Vermilion Flycatchers at Benton Park in Mono County. Following is what we experienced and what was reported on eBird.
Ron Thorn and I, Leonie Batkin, saw 2 Vermilion Flycatchers, one a 2nd year male and 1 female. When we arrived Ron spotted the 2nd year male and it was flying out to catch bugs and then flew off with food in its bill in the direction of property across Highway 120. A few minutes later Leonie saw the female foraging in the trees in the park near the restrooms. It flew down from a tree to the ground catching a bug then flying off across Highway 120 in the same direction as the male. We continued to watch these Vermilion Flycatchers coming to the park, collecting food and flying across Highway 120. We noticed the area they were flying to was Private Property and we needed to respect that. Given the 3 repeats of these food collecting and flying across Highway 120 to the same location we concluded they were tending a nest. There are more details regarding calls and flight calls Leonie heard during these observations that will be added later.
This could establish a first breeding record for Vermilion Flycatchers in Northern California.
