Thanks to Bennet Porter, Jeremiah Trimble, Greg Hirth, and Mary Keleher for the following.
Also, Cave Swallows are being reported all along the coast including Salisbury, Plum Island, and the Westport area (thanks Suzanne Sullivan and John Keeley, Phil Brown, Erik Nielsen, and Paul Champlin) and the Barnacle Goose continues at the Concord Prison Fields (as of yesterday at least).
From: Bennet Porter <bennet.porter@gmail.com>
Date: October 31, 2010 10:09:49 AM EDT
To: Massbird <massbird@theworld.com>, capecodbirds@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [capecodbirds] Peterson Farm, Falmouth - Western Kingbird NO, Tropical/Couch's Kingbird YES
Reply-To: capecodbirds@yahoogroups.com
After reviewing my photos of the kingbird I saw yesterday afternoon (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capepish/sets/72157625275234472/), I grew suspicious of the identification as a Western. None of my field guides seemed to match Western Kingbird with the bird I saw, it seemed closer to either Tropical/Couch's Kingbird. I emailed the pictures to Jeremiah Trimble last night, and he confirmed this morning that it appeared to be either of those two birds, and not a Western. The best diagnosis between the two species is by voice, so I went early this morning to find the bird. It was still there along the same side of the big field that I had seen it, although it was in the trees and brush and not on the electrified fence. It didn't call yesterday or this morning, but when I left Mary Keleher, Peter Trimble, and Blair Nikula were all on the bird, so hopefully they will get some good photos and maybe hear it call.
If anyone is planning on trying for the bird, be aware that there is a marathon being run in Falmouth today, so watch out for runners. Also, anyone from off Cape should be mindful of the repairs going on Bourne Bridge. There is parking for maybe 5 cars at the farm, and maybe a few can park at the turnoff at the top of the hill before the parking lot. Peterson Farm is off of Woods Hole Rd in Falmouth, at the end of a one-car-width path, so be careful when going to and from the farm. It is also a popular spot for walkers and runners, with or without dogs, who are with or without leashes. It is also a working sheep farm (don't forget about the Cattle Egret!), despite being on town land, so there are many interests in this one piece of land, please be courteous of others. I've never said this before, but boy do I mean it now: Good birding!
Bennet Porter
Falmouth
bennet.porter(at)gmail.com
From: Greg Hirth <geohawk_1@yahoo.com>
Date: October 31, 2010 11:02:27 AM EDT
To: massbird@theworld.com
Subject: [MASSBIRD] Tropical/Couch's
Reply-To: Greg Hirth <geohawk_1@yahoo.com>
Just got back from Peterson's Farm, where I was going to post the exciting news regarding the kingbird. Good thing I looked at the website first.
Anyway, I did hear the bird call twice. It gave a what I would describe as as a "brrrrrt" with sort of a rolling "rrr" call (which actually alerted me to its presence). It was not a "dry" ch-eek (re Sibley for Couch's), so I suppose it was more like the "twirrr or tzitzitzitzi" of Sibley's Tropical.
I arrived around 9:30 I didn't see any other birders. Later, I saw a couple from Quincy (whitebreads) who got some good photos.
Cheers, Greg
Greg Hirth
East Falmouth
From: Mary Keleher <maryeak@yahoo.com>
Date: October 31, 2010 12:28:31 PM EDT
To: Massbird <Massbird@world.std.com>, CapeCodBirds <capecodbirds@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [capecodbirds] Kingbird Video
Reply-To: capecodbirds@yahoogroups.com
I'm sure there will be many great photos of this bird but for those interested, I got a short video of the Kingbird at Peterson Farm this morning.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26056276@N07/
Mary Keleher,
Mashpee, MA
