ML242193421

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

This rare species, which was initially found by another birder (R. Blom as per report by New Jersey Bird Records Committee, NJBRC) on December 27, 1998, was observed by many observers, and some took photos. The last date of confirmed presence, based on NJBRC report, was on April 18, 1999. Based on reports of this bird on the New Jersey online rare bird alert, my wife and I on January 1, 1999, went to the reported site, found the solitaire, and obtained the photos attached herewith. The bird was very active while we were there, visiting melt water (below the broken ice) beside the road (photo herewith), utility wire/cable (photo herewith), and cedars that we deemed to be Red Cedar. At times it disappeared for some minutes. We observed it fairly often between 1 and 1:50 PM from this location. We left for some time but returned to find it back there at 2:30 PM. Its observed flight was quick and for short distances. The weather that afternoon was, as recorded in our fieldnotes, still apparently below freezing and very windy. I did not file a report to NJBRC. They received multiple reports and confirmed this visitor as Townsend's Solitaire.

Technical information

Dimensions

3488 pixels x 2313 pixels

Original file size

1.49 MB