ML123979121

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Estimate by fives. At 0734 at the start point, heard "sip-it" calls and saw 1 overhead flying E, then a few seconds later another overhead flying WNW. It was joined by 2 others and they continued to the SW, ca 10x shrub height. At 0750, I heard another brief bout of AMPI calls and saw 1 in flight to the S of the field in reach 4. Then at 0752, I heard more calls and 3 more flew to the W over reach 4 at ca 3-4x shrub height in a loose group - may have landed. At 0845, heard AMPI somewhere over reach 4. At 0929, I heard "sip-it" calls from an AMPI and I thought also "se-put" calls from a few HOLA over reach 3. Between 0934 and 0952, I heard semi-frequent calling of AMPI - and I thought also HOLA - in flight over reach 3. At 0953, 5 AMPI flew to the W/WSW over me at ca 4x shrub height in reach 3, and I saw a midair agonistic interaction. At 0957, I counted 50 (by 5s) passerines in a loose flock in low flight over grassland in the NE portion of reach 3. Suspected HOLA, but was not sure. At 1003, 4 flew together over reach 3 at 1-2x shrub height, then headed off to the NE and dove down shortly N of the stream. I was not positive they landed, but I saw them descend to within a meter of the ground. At 1011, I saw an apparent mixed flock of 50+ birds, apparently HOLA as well as AMPI, in flight over reach 3. Got 1 photo of the flock. Then at 1016, ca 5 more AMPI and 3 more HOLA flew W overhead. At 1025, 1 AMPI flew in a low circle over the distant part of reach 3, then landed ca 3-4 m high at the top of an alder over one of the ponds. In the next few minutes I observed at least 5 more AMPI land on the ground near the ponds or the stream channel. Then saw at least 3 individuals perching in Alnus incana and at least 10 land on bare ground. Never stayed very long (ca <15 seconds) on the ground - nervous - exposed to predators? Ca 1110-1115, I was able to slowly approach within about 6 m of 1 AMPI perched in a revegetated willow near the stream, reach 3 - part of a flock of ca 10 that took off at 1117. Got photos of another, more distant in a willow, and 1 on the wooden bridge over the stream. The near one in the Salix was glancing around, not foraging. Ca 1405-1420, approx 15 AMPI seen/heard in reach 3, esp. S of the stream near the edge of the grasses, where some spots still muddy from diversion ditch overflow.

Technical information

Model

COOLPIX P900

ISO

140

Focal length

357 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/6.5

Shutter speed

1/500 sec

Dimensions

4608 pixels x 3456 pixels

Original file size

6.5 MB