Third Time’s a Charm

By Corey • December 6, 2009 • 12 comments

A third visit to the vacant lot in Queens with the lingering vagrant Ash-throated Flycatcher was the charm on Sunday. Thanks to Danny and Alan for calling and offering me a ride over and to Daisy for letting me out of the house again (though I was home within an hour). This time it wasn’t even difficult to find the elusive-to-me flycatcher, as the bird was being watched on the side of Cohancy St even as we pulled up in the car. It was a joy to watch and digiscope and reminded me that birds are a bit more enjoyable when one has to work for them.

This post has been submitted to Bird Photography Weekly #67. Go check it out!

Tags: features, flycatchers, queens, Twitching

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About the Author

Corey

Corey is a lifelong upstate New Yorker who recently took the plunge and moved to the city. He's only been birding since 2005 but has garnered a respectable life list and broke the magical 300 barrier in New York State in 2007 by birding whenever he wasn't working as a union representative. He lives near Forest Park in Queens with Daisy, their son, Desmond, and their two indoor cats, Hunter and B.B.

12 Responses to “Third Time’s a Charm”

Will Dec 6th, 2009 at 9:36 pm

Sigh.

I hate NYC.
Carrie Dec 6th, 2009 at 10:28 pm

We must have just missed each other - I got it today to! It wasn’t waiting for me when I showed up (in fact I got the infamous “it was just here a little while ago”, which made my heart sink) but it eventually turned back up and showed very well in the weeds just alongside the A-line fence.

Didn’t get the Orange-crowned Warbler that was supposedly hanging around too, but I figure I’ll probably get more shots at that.
Wren Dec 6th, 2009 at 11:18 pm

He’s so cute! Worth working for, but glad he decided to cooperate in the end.
sara Dec 7th, 2009 at 4:59 am

Excellent!
Jochen Dec 7th, 2009 at 7:24 am

Me - want - there
Corey Dec 7th, 2009 at 10:20 am

@Will: You hate it except when you are here seeing good birds…

@Carrie: Glad you got it…it would have been nice to see you too.

@Wren: It wasn’t so cute when it coughed up an insect exoskeleton.

@Sara: Thanks!

@Jochen: If you get on a plane you could be here within hours. Come on over!
jason Dec 7th, 2009 at 11:20 am

Great catch, Corey! And you’re right: Having to work a bit can make the experience more rewarding.
bob k Dec 7th, 2009 at 2:38 pm

Wow! Congratulations on getting the Ash-throated in NYC!
Jean L. Dec 7th, 2009 at 7:14 pm

Congrats on your perseverance and success! I don’t blame Desi for spitting up after hearing your tale of woe from the first excursion: we were unsuccessful and soaked to the bone!

Great pics!
Larry Jordan Dec 8th, 2009 at 2:16 am

Excellent shots of one of my favorite cavity nesters Corey. Congrats on the NYC rarity! I really does make it extra special when you have to work for them doesn’t it? My target, gotta-work-for bird is the Snowy Owl.
Robert Bate Dec 8th, 2009 at 5:48 am

Glad you got the bird Corey. The first time you just missed the bird by not more than 2 minutes. Thanks for the great pictures too, a real New York style rarity.

Rob Bate
Müge Dec 9th, 2009 at 10:39 am

What a beautiful bird! I’m new in birdwatching but have not seen this kind of beauties in my city (located in another corner of the world).

Have a pleasant new week,