Video confirms Western Kingbird

If you have been following the birding lists in Ohio, you'll know we recently happened upon an unusual flycatcher at the Marblehead Lighthouse.

Good fortune ordained that I would be birding with my friend Michael Godfrey, who is more savvy about these things.  When I found the odd flycatcher, it was rather obvious that it was not one we routinely seen in Ohio.  Michael's first thoughts were Western Kingbird, but we could not see any white in its hind tail with our naked eyes. Next, I called top-notch birder Jim McCormac for advice and direction.

We  replayed Michael's video and scanned my photos- but on the small screens of our cameras, we could not see enough "white" to be certain. 

But Michael has graciously edited his footage, compressed it and slowed it down a bit for us.  Now you can see what we saw in the field- with the benefit of slo-motion.

If you cannot view this video (Apple products) try this:  http://youtu.be/qvzJJKZoEOw

Just like calling a football game, it is a whole lot easier and clearer with high quality photos and slo-motion.  Never was a "rare" bird any better documented!  I just happened to be in the right place at the right time and blessed with the presence of Michael and his many years of camera expertise. 

Normally, the Western Kingbird has prominent white tail linings, similar to what one would see on a Dark-eyed Junco in flight. We were searching diligently for those in the field, however, they must have been worn down from his long flight from the west.  This circumstance muddied the identification a bit, but these videos show the facts. There are remains of some very, worn white feathers.  They were not obvious to us in the field, and only with enlarged photos and the slo-motion video do we get the total picture of this bird's identification: Western Kingbird.

In case you haven't met him, this is my pal Michael enjoying a cool breeze at one of Ohio's most scenic locations.  He was standing on the alvar at the Marblehead lighthouse, just dreaming up good birds. How fortunate for me, he was there to identify the first and only Western Kingbird I have ever seen!

Although the Western Kingbird only remained at the lighthouse for that evening, it was a nice welcome home from our Michigan birding trip.  More on that later...

Marblehead Kingbird awaits ID

Having just returned from a trip to chase rarities, Kirtland's Warblers, Henlow's Sparrows, Lark Sparrows and the like, I had no idea we would find an unusual bird in my old hometown. 

Kingbird: definitely not an Eastern, or a Great Crested Flycatcher.

 Maybe it was my new "birding burka" that brought me good luck, or maybe I was tuned-in to the rarity mode.  Whatever it was, I noted this bird looked different.  It was definitely not one of Ohio's regular flycatchers.

Marblehead Lighthouse, Ohio's most photographed location.

We had just arrived back in Marblehead after three days of hard, black-fly bitten, mosquito-ridden, tick infested Michigan birding. Once we landed, what did my friend Michael Godfrey and I do?  Go birding.

We were hoping for some cuckoos and thought the lighthouse might be a good potential location.

What is that in the dead limbs of a Basswood tree?

Instead, I noted a flycatcher,that was "too big" and "too bright".  I asked Michael to take a look; he's birded everywhere, man. (Insert Johnny Cash song here.)

 Michael's first impression was a Western Kingbird.  
"Cool," I said. "We don't have those here."

The speculation on Facebook has created quite a stir and honestly I cannot say "what" I saw at this time, except- that ain't no Eastern Kingbird.

So here you go, arm-chair birders: enjoy this series of totally un-touched photos. I have not adjusted color, I have only cropped their size.  We will get Michael Godfrey's video up as soon as he has processed it

 But as we studied the video in the field and took photos, we could not see the distinctive white tail-linings a Western Kingbird should have.  But the end of the tail did appear flattened... like a Western.

Except when the tail looked notched.

I thought it looked liked it had an eye-stripe, (so what do I know?) but no tail stripes.  Could they be "worn off"?

We are awaiting the experts opinions, as I have little to no experience with these birds.  I only know this is not a bird  regularly seen in Ohio.

Happy birding!  I am wishing you a rarity, too.

Flora-Quest invades Marblehead

It was a perfect time to pair two of my great interests, Flora-Quest and Marblehead, Ohio.

This was our eighth year for Flora-Quest and it was time to change things up.  Coincidentally, May 13th was also the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the Marblehead Lakeside, Daisy Preserve.  Perfect timing for a pairing.

Lakeside Daisy Preserve in full bloom on May 13th, 2014.  Photo by Paula Harper

Back in 1988 the rarest flower in the United States- Lakeside Daisy, Tetraneuris herbacea- acquired its own preserve carved out from quarry land.  This seemingly unpretentious yellow daisy is only found naturally occurring in Marblehead/Lakeside Ohio and in Ontario, Canada.  It is a globally rare flower.

Lakeside Daisy was named for the town of Lakeside on the Marblehead Peninsula. Photo by Paula Harper.

For a few short weeks around Mother's (early May) these daisies turn the preserve's rocky ground into a carpet of gold.  Except for some stunted Red Cedar trees, this gravel lot looks more like a place to park than a habitat for unusual botany.

Dick Moseley tells she history of the Lakeside Daisy Preserve. Photo by Paula Harper.

 Flora-Quest gets the most knowledgeable guides to lead our trips, and this year was no exception.  The daisy preserve had three excellent guides: Dick Moseley, retired Director of Ohio Division of Natural Resources.  Allison Cusick is the retired Ohio Heritage Botanist, and Rick Gardner, the current Ohio Heritage Botanist, led our tour.

Guy Denny was prepared to lead trips into real adventure. Photo by Paula Harper

 Guy Denny, past Chief of Division of Natural Areas and Preserves is also one of our guides.  These leaders have a life-time of experience in interpreting naturals areas.  People love to learn from them.

The Monday morning field trip to Meadowbrook Marsh.  Photo by Kevin Joyce.

 We had a botany/ birding trip to Meadowbrook Marsh.  Jason Larson (yellow shirt) and your blogger (coral shirt on right) had more fun than should be legal.  We both like birds and botany, although he probably missed the other "Sunshine Boy," Pete Whan.  Jason and Pete led the popular Flora-Quests to Adams County for several years.

"Miss Paula" Harper brandishing her umbrella. Photo by Cheryl Harner

 Jason steps up to do his guide duties and tells a bit about the American Bladdernut, Staphylea trifolia  growing along the parking lot at Meadowbrook.  It is one of our under utilized, decorative native shrubs. Paula wasn't actually poking him with that umbrella, although the photo does look incriminating!

Allison Cusick gave an excellent program on  "What is an Alvar?"

 Our lunch time meals were a welcome retreat from Monday's rain and Tuesday's heat.   On Monday, Allison Cusick, the retired Ohio Heritage Botanist kept us enthralled with his story-telling ability and tales from Marblehead's glacial impacted topography. He also gave brief accounts and locations of the very few other alvars in the world. So how do the glacially scraped surfaces of an alvar differ from a parking lot? They are likely to have plants, very rare and stunted plants.

Doty Twyford, long time Questor in front of the Marblehead Lighthouse.  Photo by Paula Harper

 Many of our questers ended the workshop at the most photographed location in Ohio: the Marblehead Lighthouse.  Built in 1821 by the Kelley brothers from Sandusky, our longest operating light on Lake Erie is a popular tourist gathering.

Looking out from the rail surrounding  of the beacon.  Photo by Ian Adams.

It was a special occasion to have the lighthouse open for tours, and Ian Adams participated in Flora-Quest by giving photography tips to the eager questers.  The 80 degree weather and bright sunshine made for a welcome surprise in May.

All in all, the event couldn't have been any more fun or successful, and we thank our partners, sponsors and patrons for making Flora-Quest the place to be in May.

Lighthouse Tour

I awoke to the sound of gulls this morning, and realized I had been dreaming of the Ivory Gull.

Actually, I awake to the sound of gulls every morning, it is the nature sound set on my alarm clock. But the Ivory Gull, a polar rarity being seen in New Jersey has been in my mind. As several of us are discussing the possibility of a trip to the coast, it has turned my mind to winter gulls. Yes, it is craziness to pursue gulls on a blustery beach or breakwall. But because I do it, I have seen some of the most incredible lighthouses in Ohio- and beyond.


Marblehead Lighthouse, Marblehead Ohio
Certainly not a surprise that I would list first the "most photographed" location in Ohio. A favorite of mine, since Marblehead was my home for almost 20 years.


Huron Pier light, Huron Ohio
Not as well known or as striking, but this light holds many memories for me. This was a rainy miserably cold day, but I saw my life Sabine's Gull flying circles around this light.



Headlands Light, Mentor Ohio
Wonderful birds and botany at Headlands, and the winters are likely to yield Purple Sandpiper on the rocks.


Peggy's Cove Light, Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia
The Holy Grail for lighthouse aficionados. We visited this rustic coast in fall of 2008; it is a view that could change your life.

So if winter weather makes it too cold for plants, here's wishing you beautiful lighthouses, and good gulls!

MBS: Dawn at the Marblehead Lighthouse

Sunrise off the Marblehead lighthouse is beautiful to behold, and it was especially wonderful to share with some of my Midwest Birding Symposium friends. The bloggers were out in droves, certainly Nina fom Nature Remains and Kathi at Kat-Doc got great photos too. Be sure to check their posts, along with Jim McCormac's Birds and Biodiversity- who has the first of his posts up already.

Dawn at the Marblehead Lighthouse (click to enlarge)

As an Bald Eagle flew overhead, the shush of the waves lapped the shore, balancing the incredible beauty of dawn's first light, and it was just one of the highlights of MBS. Now multiply that feeling by 5, and you'll get and idea of the high of 800 participants (especially for those of us who saw the Kirtland's Warbler).

Thanks to the many, many volunteers from all over the state- without them we could not have done MBS. Special thanks to Bill , Ann, Laura and Katbird from Birdwatcher's Digest for pulling the strings to make this event go. And the incredible OOS Team: Jen, Jim, Marc, Judy, Andrea, Ann and Dana for the many months of work that went into the event. Thanks also to Lakeside and their awesome team! Hope to see you all again in 2011!