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Dickcissel!



     Jill Froning and I headed out to Anilorac Farm on Dairyland Rd., in NW 
Orange county, today at around noon, to see the nesting Warbling Vireos .  
    We drove slightly past the farm, heading west, to show Jill the spot 
where Grasshopper Sparrows were usually seen.  I was telling her about also 
seeing a Dickcissel here last year when we spotted a bird on the wire near 
us.  Sure enough, a singing Male Dickcissel!  Right about where it was last 
year.  Just slightly west of Anilorac farm, at the top of a small uphill 
grade in the road.  We were there at about 12:30 PM. 
    Last year it was seen on May 6, according to my notes, but I can't recall 
how long it stayed. I think it only stayed briefly.  Guess we'll have to see 
if it may breed here this year.
    This bird was much yellower than any of my field guides depict it.  The 
yellow in the breast was very extensive, down to it's belly.  Also the 
eyebrow seemed entirely yellow, no white towards the back of it.  We saw the 
rufous shoulder very well in Jill's new scope.  Looking at the bird head on, 
almost the entire front appeared yellow.  I would think it could  be the same 
bird as last year, but not sure if that bird was as yellow.  It cooperated 
nicely for us, singing in the same spot, leaving briefly at times to fly to 
the field across the road.
    We also saw a few Grasshopper Sparrows, including one singing male, and 
heard lots on both sides of the road.  
    Jill also heard Bobolinks nearby, though we didn't see them.
    When we got to the farm, we heard the Warbling Vireos, but couldn't get a 
view of them in the dense foliage of the trees across the rd. from the 
farmhouse.  The only nest we saw, in the middle tree in the front yard, where 
the Vireo nest is, was in the lower branches, a Robin on a nest.  Then the 
clouds rolled in and the wind picked up a lot, so we decided to try again 
another day, earlier in the AM. 
Shelley Theye 
       

Shelley Theye
N. Chatham County, NC
Psbmt@aol.com