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Piratic Flycatcher Viewing Tips: May 5, 2008

by Martin Reid

View Photos on Martin's web site, as well as a summary of the identification features for separating this bird from a Variegated Flycatcher.

Walk down to the mulberry tree on the left with the small bits of orange tape, and wait there, checking both high on the outside, and at eye-level in the inside, and be patient. It always returned to this tree, even after going unseen for more than an hour at a time, and from about 6:00 until 6.48 pm on May 4 it stayed inside the tree, spending long periods perched. It has been seen once about 50 yards back south along the trail, and has been seen to fly east over the water ditch and out of sight, but no one found it on the east side trail, and it eventually returned to the mulberry tree and usually provided good looks (though often slightly obscured as it stayed inside the tree when the wind got up).

The mulberries that were the focus of many birds' attention were dwindling quite fast last night, and I could envisage a scenario where the Piratic (assuming it still remains in the area) abandons this tree for one with more fruit. Such trees are to be found at other spots at Pollywog, so if the bird is not (or no longer) seen, it may be fruitful (pun intended) to look for a nearby mulberry and work it carefully - remember that this individual would sit motionless for quite long periods, and was happy to work deep inside the fruiting tree (not typical behavior, based on my limited experience of the species in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Ecuador).

 

 
Other Descriptions:
  Lesser Frigatebird Notes: 9/5/2008
  Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher Details
  Piratic Flycatcher Viewing Tips: May 5, 2008
  Hornsby Bend Ruff: Map and Directions
  Directions & Guidelines for Houston Gull Site
  
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