ML646415498

Ажиглалтын дэлгэрэнгүй

***Super mega - first or second ABA record and single digits for the Western Hemisphere. (Presumably the same bird seen in Maine this past August; there is also a controversial sight record from Virginia in 1994) Found last night by Chuck Hantis, identified overnight through his photographs and broadcast to the birding community this morning. Refound by others about twenty minutes before we arrived at the parking lot behind the gym. Immediately upon arriving, a few ducks scattered from the marsh, followed by a large brown raptor. It seemed hulking and mighty, all-dark above and below; not totally unlike northern harrier but lacking white uppertail coverts and with a less exaggerated silhouette, wings and tail not quite as gangly as those on northern harrier. Flew in a dihedral, but less pronounced in shape than northern harrier with less of a teetering action. Totally wild looking, unlike any North American raptor, somewhat recalling an exaggeratedly lanky golden eagle or a large vulture. Dumbfounded for a moment, I gathered my thoughts enough to yell “THAT’S IT!!!” in unison with another birder - and indeed it was, flying low across the tops of the Phragmites at the edge of the parking lot. It circled until it was at great height and then flew south over the gym. It was then absent for about fifteen minutes before reappearing above us again, circling, and then flying north over the marsh and vanishing around 12:50. Before we arrived, it had reportedly been working the marsh alongside a northern harrier, and was seen taking a swing at some ducks. Overall, the bird was probably in view for a combined total of about five minutes, and twice - including the first views we got - came incredibly close. My rough binocular photos are from its final circling flyover around 12:49. Unreal, unbelievable, unexpected anywhere in the hemisphere, let alone behind a gym in New Jersey. Life bird. Update 1/30/23; bird was apparently killed by a Boeing 737 coming into Newark Airport a few days after. It was not identified for some time, as its remains were unidentifiable to the eye and required testing of feathers left behind (Smithsonian Feather Lab). A really sad ending to the story of an amazing rarity that seemed like it had potential to remain in North America for years, stamping its passport in who-knows-how-many different states. The strike occurred at an altitude of around 3,000 feet, a testament to this bird’s high-soaring behavior described by those who observed it. Drag.