[SBB] Long Ridge OSP 04-16-05

[Matthew Dodder <[[email protected]]>]

All,

Our class trip to Long Ridge OSP yesterday was productive as far as 
voice identification goes. We logged quite a few species by voice 
alone, including Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Black-throated 
Gray, Townsend's, Orange-crowned and Wilson's Warblers, Western 
Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Warbling and Hutton's Vireos. Species 
count was a bit low however, but that isn't too surprising as the 
emphasis was really more on sound and sound recognition than anything 
else. We did see a possible WILLOW FLYCATCHER along the Peter's Creek 
Trail in none other than a small stand of willow trees. The brownish 
Empidonax foraged actively in the trees by the creek. It had an 
entirely yellowish lower mandible, obvious pale wing bars, a peaked 
head, whitish thoat that reached up behind the cheeks, and little or no 
eye ring (some members reported seeing a "slight" ring, but we all 
agreed there was no discernible variation in width from front to back). 
Primary projection seemed moderate. Some members of the group reported 
a single "whip" call. Overall size of the bird was smaller than Western 
Wood Pewee and more compact. The lack of eyering or yellowish-green 
coloration helped us rule out Pacific-slope.
obvious wingbars, absence of yellow-green tones, little or no eye ring 
and entirely yellowish lower mandible that pushed us toward Willow. We 
watched it for several minutes as it foraged actively in a small area, 
flying from perch to perch and finally away. Strangely, the bird was 
not seen well from straight on, but remained in profile or visible from 
behind and below, so tail exact character of the tail is difficult to 
speak about.

Matthew Dodder
http://www.birdguy.net

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