Day 22 - A Trill, a Whistle, and a Glide
After yesterday's missteps I needed some good karma to come my direction. I clasped my hands and asked the birding gods for mercy. Let today be a good day. I opted not to set out first thing in search of year birds, instead I took some time and did some eBirding. I ran a few queries, looked at some maps, and decided I had 3-4 potential year birds with a 20 mile drive to the Edge of the Conifers. This quaint village leads into a forest where several specialty birds dwell. Even in mid-winter I felt that I could squeeze at least one out for sure.
I made the drive and found a spot that looked ideal. All was quiet--deathly quiet. I stood out in the clean air taking in the gorgeous scenery around me. Narnia is a spectacular place to live, and on any given day you can have an amazing view that was different from the last. I decided to take a stroll up an old road and see if anything sprung up. Then I heard the trill of the villainous bird I was here for. I quickly burst into my best owl imitation and the creature fluttered into view--posting on a limb just 10' away. I took the best photos I ever have of the Repeating Signaler before it retreated into the forest.
Unfortunately, I can't show you those photos today--luckily you only have to wait about 340 days to see them :)
As I started to walk away I heard a familiar whistle. I turned and there peering down at me was my second target bird of the day, a Lonely Rambler. We stared at each other for a few seconds before it lifted off and disappeared into the trees. A moment later, I heard it burst into its spectacular song; 3-4 times it repeated the jovial tune. Then all was quiet again. My trip to The Edge had been successful. There was one other species I might come across heading out of the area, but it didn't show.
The 4th possibility was possible the entire drive back to civilization. I had all but given up hope when over a hill I saw a wonderful Miner's Pilot glide along the horizon, before dipping out of view. 24 hours earlier I had been in a state of disbelief that my targets were all coming up as misses. What a different a day makes. With a trill, a whistle, and a glide I added 3 new year birds and felt like things were back on track. I don't have to add new year birds every day to feel this way, but when I make an excursion for a target, it feels a lot better coming home knowing you got your bird!
New birds today: 3
Year List: 139
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