ML620648824
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age
- Not specified
- Sex
- Not specified
Observation details
Did not see it arrive (~08:16) as I was watching passerines fly off the Tip, but then essentially never took my eye off the scope until 09:45. Cell service was horrible, but I texted and called Jeremy Hatt who posted to Discord on my behalf. Called Jacob and Steve and told them they had to get to Pelee immediately (both made it in time!). Was very lucky to extensively study this bird as it lingered for almost 3 hours, though it remained stationary for most of that time - at times warding off BOGUs who got a bit too close (see video). Twice dug itself into the sand to rest. Performed only 5 flights, 4 of which were very brief. Got a few flight shots from the one extended flight during which it appeared to drink water. Immediately took note of short richly-coloured all-red bill and couldn’t believe my eyes. Tiny red legs visible shortly thereafter when it shuffled a bit on the sand. Cap notably “different” than COTE, matching with extension almost to gape which ARTE “should” show. In good light, cap was more a deep brown in the front and a rich black towards the nape, with this individual possessing a bald spot of white in the crown only visible at certain angles. Got one good digiscope clip of it preening, where long deeply forked tail was seen well. When in flight, saw thin black border on underside of primaries and nearly translucent outer primaries (and again long deeply forked tail). I don’t think I captured similar enough photos to assess individuality between this and the ARTE I had with Keith Burk on 06/01, also at the Tip. In studying that bird to confirm its ID, I learned a lot; one tool that I discovered (peak of back curvature) I found obvious on this individual in flight (JUST behind head, even with or just before leading edge of wings). More detail to come soon at essexbirds.ca Had the great pleasure of sharing this bird with several friends and about 100 visitors throughout the morning, including a large school group. Could not ask for a better experience with a mega at the Tip.
Technical information
- Model
- NIKON D7500
- Lens
- 200-500mm f/5.6
- ISO
- 125
- Focal length
- 500 mm
- Flash
- Flash did not fire
- f-stop
- f/8.0
- Shutter speed
- 1/500 sec
- Dimensions
- 2402 pixels x 1599 pixels
- Original file size
- 3.1 MB