Vermilion Flycatcher in Wallaceburg?

Vermilion Flycatcher in Wallaceburg? What a wacky year its been for vagrants! I was torn on whether I should go out to Wallaceburg to see this amazing bird, but with reports coming in early this morning that it was still present, I went ahead and committed to the drive.  I wanted to go out to the Mitchel's Bay area to see Snowy Owls, but I didn't see any on the drive between Wallaceburg and Chatham. I got a chance to see Rick, JB & Ellen Smout at this location as well. The property owners were gracious in letting birders walk back to their pasture and it seems like this little bird was seen by mobs of birders.

This amazing bird is not a lifer as I've seen it in Florida a few years ago. It is mainly a bird from deep southwestern US and Mexico as shown on the range map below. To think that it strayed so far in the wrong direction during migration is almost unbelievable - but I guess first year males sometimes exhibit this directional dyslexia. It seems that although the weather is going to be mild for the next week or so, it seems like this beautiful little bird is probably doomed to perish due to cold weather and lack of food.

Image Source: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Vermilion_Flycatcher/lifehistory

A friend of mine who sometimes commutes to Chatham told me a while ago about "Chatham Burger". He swore it was one of the best burgers he had ever had. I just happened to drive by on my way back to Windsor and figured I would support a local business. Amazing burgers! I would say its a great burger for a birder birding in the 'burg.

Good birding,
Dwayne

Vermilion Flycatcher at Orlando Wetlands

Vermillion Flycatcher

About two weeks before departing for a long-planned Florida trip, I had read on the Florida birding listserve that a Vermilion Flycatcher had been spotted at a place called Orlando Wetlands. I read this announcement with amazement, but caution as well, because realistically, chances were slim that it would stick around for two weeks, awaiting my arrival. Further compounding the excitement of this bird was the lack of mention on the Florida birding listserve beyond its initial posting. Sure enough though, after our plane landed in Orlando, and we headed due East to Cocoa Beach, I requested to my wife that we stop and check it out (I pre-programmed the address into our GPS) and to my utter amazement, it was still there!

 

Late Limpkin

While at Orlando Wetlands, I saw many other species, but I focus mainly on personal rarities. Blue Winged Teal, Common Moorehen, White Ibis, American Coot were very common and seen everywhere. Near the feeders, I swore I saw a red-ish colourful bird that could have been a Painted Bunting, but I didn't have time to follow up on it.

This common Florida bird eluded me on two prior trips.

Black bellied Whistling Duck

Sandhill Crane

Glossy Ibis... Takeoff

Common Ground-Dove - Blurry... arrrghh

It's good to be home. Florida is so beautiful, but home is where the heart is. It was cool to hear the distant call of Killdeer, and later hearing the chorus of frogs while stopping the in-laws in Windsor. Spring is here!

Good birding,
Dwaynejava

Lifer summary:
Limpkin-291
Black bellied whistling Duck - 292
Vermilion Flycatcher - 293


http://orlandowetlands.org/
http://www.cityoforlando.net/public_works/wetlands/index.htm