[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Edisto Beach SP SC GRAY KINGBIRD (and an RFI for area shorebirds)



Hi Folks,

I wasn't birding per se, but my binocs were 'round my neck (as always) during my 2 mile hike down the beach from where our towel remained, (my wife on it, out of the sun, reading a book). I came by a few WILSON'S PLOVER, HERRING GULL, R-B GULL, 1 WHIMBREL, WILLETS and a handful of SANDERLING (and the regular stuff) so I headed back to the towel...

...40 feet from which I glimpsed a flycatcher as it dove behind the 2-foot tall dunes. "That was a good one" was the first thing that entered my head. "Forked tail, gray back? Gotta be a good one." I edged up to the point I could safely scan behind the dunes and sure enough, there, perched on a tuft of grass, the finest example of a GRAY KINGBIRD I've ever seen in SC, (which is to say that it was a little ratty and perhaps a second year bird. I've never seen on in this state). All that walking and the best bird was right where I had started. A towel bird (to add to my towel list... which come to think of it is a rather good list, having spent lots of time on great beaches with binocs, scope etc.).

The bird is hanging out in the bushes and trees just beyond the last palms at the north end of the campground at Edisto Beach ($3/person entrance fee). It was there when we left at 3:20 and I had first found it at about 2. I'd be happy to supply anyone with digiscoped shots of it.

I'd like to take this opportunity to point out that the northeast has seen a rather good representation of southern strays in the last month or more (all the way into Canada). B-N Stilts, several White Ibis, Reddish Egrets, Brown Peli.s etc. etc. (I don't know, does the Sula on the banks fit into this pattern?). Perhaps we'll see some interesting things show up in FL this winter, at least more so than "usual".

By the way: DOES ANYONE HAVE RELIABLE SHOREBIRDING SPOTS 'ROUND THAT AREA... EDISTO?

Cheers
Paul Champlin
New Ellenton, SC

_________________________________________________________________
Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail