Charlie Spencer

BUMP for the original topic!

Magnificent series of photos!

Well, the necks looked too smooth too. I know a variety of things can affect the degree of shagginess, but every bird looked unruffled. None were around a bird buffet; they were mostly loosely scattered in adjoining treetops. Mostly it was just that there were two birds I -really- wanted to get out of this trip. I knew the Red-breasted Nuthatch would be unmistakable but I was convinced I'd misidentify an AMCR as a CORA. Thanks, everybody.

I had a group of six during the last GBBC. Watch up high in those woods, esp. if any of those trees have small fruit.

I'm not saying it isn't a WETA, but that's a heck of stiletto for a tanager.

If you haven't already seen the ID photos, scratch the plover but add Common Raven.

Just for clarification, I think Tony means you would have had to go back to breeding season when this thrush would have been singing, not just alive. Even if you had found it alive now, it wouldn't have been singing since it had no reason to.

Thirded on the 'No Blackpolls' list, but It isn't going to keep me awake!

Well, the BBPL wasn't a lifer, although it was only the second time I've seen one. I'm not too broken up about the AMGP; it wasn't on my short list for my MI trip anyway.

We were in the UP last week. I spent a few hours at Whitefish. Not as long as I'd like but I try to avoid subjecting my non-birding Darling Bride to too much of me staring through binos. Fortunately, the Shipwreck Museum and other historic displays there kept her well entertained. In retrospect, I probably saw plenty of ravens on the trip but I couldn't convince myself they weren't just big crows. Usually I saw them in groups of 10 or more, and I'd read CORAs are mostly solitary.

Sept. 22nd, 2020. Michigan's Upper Peninsula, eastern end. Low shrubby meadows with scattered mixed deciduous and evergreen trees. The bill appears very heavy with a noticeable bump. The tail definitely appears to be more graduated and not blunt. Unfortunately, I did not see the bird fly, and it made no sounds. Thanks. n

Photo #3 shows more white on the wings that I would expect for a Carolina. If you saw this bird in the northern part of the state, I agree with Kevin that it's a Black-capped.

I'm not sure about the second photo, 13th bird from the left, 6th from the bottom. No offense, TBNs, but I'd like another opinion.

Assuming you're in south / central CA, you're like me in central SC - out of their expected breeding range. We're both in their wintering range, when they're more widely scattered. I'm in an area of mixed suburbs and farm fields, not likely Merlin territory anyway. I only got this on one on a trip to the appropriate forests in northern Michigan. Barring other trips, it may be the only one I ever see.

I agree about the angle, but it is the same bird in all posted photos.

So you're attributing the dark legs to mud and / shade?

Here ya go. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Merlin/id

I'm out of 'Likes' again. Thanks, y'all.

Sept. 21, 2020. Fort Michillemackinac, Mackinac City, Michigan; northern end of the Lower Peninsula. The bird was one of two hopping through the straw mulch around a demonstration vegetable garden. I thought it was a Song Sparrow in the field. What's giving me pause is solid cheek patch in the first shot, and the unstreaked cap in the second. I have other photos but they're all from this angle; no front or breast shots. Thanks.

(@akandula, @Phalarope713, this is one, isn't it?)

That's the conclusion I reached but I like to check; I've whiffed twice today already. This one makes two out of three on lifers.

Sept. 21, 2020. Fort Michillemackinac, Mackinac City, Michigan; northern end of the Lower Peninsula. I didn't see him (?) arrive or leave, or hear him, and I don't have any better shots of the tail. Thanks.

If you're referring to these, that's exactly what caught my attention.

BBPL it shall be!