I had to go out to Lancaster today to pick up some farm supplies and stopped by Blue Marsh Lake near Reading. There has been a Green Tailed Towhee there all winter and Karah and I tried for it once with no luck. There is a little spot up a hiking trail where people bring "offerings" of bird seed to spread on the ground for the Towhee and other ground feeders.
I had forgotten mine and stopped at the store on my way there to pick up a 5 lb bag of mixed seed. There were no birds at the spot when I arrived which was in contrast to the plethora of White Throated and White Crowned Sparrows, Cardinals & Juncos that we enjoyed on our previous visit. I spread the entire bag and then waited about 50' away.
A cardinal and a Brown Headed Cowbird were the only takers. Then, 15 mins. in, I saw a flash of green in some nearby bushes. It was the Green Tailed Towhee jumping around and then flying away to another patch of brush after only a minute. It was short but sweet and I enjoyed it, then continued on my trek.
Ben! Incredible!
ReplyDeleteWay to go on a second, primarily Western, uncommon bird.
Really cool man.