NCB Fall Migration Celebration
September 20, 2014
Seventeen area birders (Tom & Laverne Hunter, Roger & Lynda Mayhorn, Don & Dawn Carrier,
Fred & Janice Martin, John Kelly, Sheri Hiter, Daryl Owens, Mike Sanders, Craig Makufka,
Peggy Herbert, Sharon Dingler, Dave Worley, and Hutch Hutchinson) gathered at the Thornhills
for food, fun, and birds on September 20, 2014. The weather was beautiful, the food was
delicious, and the birds were somewhat cooperative. The day’s list was 38 species with some
good finds.
As people drove to the house, many reported seeing the Belted Kingfisher that hangs out near a
bridge not far from the house. Several also saw the pair of American Kestrels that hunt from a
telephone wire in a nearby field. As we stood on the deck enjoying juice, coffee, ham biscuits,
coffee cake, and other goodies, we saw American Goldfinch, Tufted Titmouse, Mourning Dove,
and other common yard visitors. A Northern Mockingbird made an unusual yard appearance.
While we were enjoying the birds, Crazy Doc Mayhorn made an unsolicited pitch for his “Crazy
Mayhorn Mayhem Tea.”
Enjoying the deck
After a while, several birders headed up the hollow to see what could be found. They had a close
call with a kamikaze Wood Thrush who zoomed by within inches of the walkers. As the stunned
crew discussed the fly-by, they spotted Swainson’s Thrush, Black-throated Green, and Hooded
Warbler.
As they moved on up the hollow, most stopped and searched for a bird someone had seen
moving. Don and Jerry continued a little further and spotted more movement. The first group
came up with a Black-throated Blue Warbler while Don and Jerry found a Yellow-bellied
Flycatcher. The first group came up, and it was quickly determined that several birders needed
the flycatcher for their lifelist. After several minutes of pishing and playing the call, the bird
made another appearance and Mike spotted it for his life bird. Another period of intense
watching and begging finally yielded a third brief appearance that allowed Daryl to check off the
bird. More waiting and begging the birding gods finally revealed the bird to Craig. Sheri still
needed a look so John bravely entered the thick weed/briar patch and sure enough, the bird
popped up one last time so that everyone got to see it at least once. In all, the group probably
spent more than an hour looking for the bird. The time was filled with lots of stories about other
quests and will undoubtedly be remembered for a long time. While no one got a photo of this
bird, Don Carrier got pictures of another Yellow-bellied Flycatcher found on the 2012 walk in
the hollow.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher from 2012
The group returned to the house for lunch picking up Scarlet Tanager and Northern Parula along
the way. When they got back to the house, a kettle of birds drew attention. Both Turkey and
Black Vultures were present along with Common Raven and Red-tailed Hawk. As people
continued scanning, an immature Bald Eagle was found, a Red-headed Woodpecker flew across
Tom Hunter’s field of view, and a Red-shouldered Hawk put in an appearance. In the meantime,
a Broad-winged Hawk flew over the deck area. Later an adult Bald Eagle was spotted.
Looking for Something
Leisure Birding
The complete species list is below.
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Cooper's Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Mourning Dove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Species List
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
American Kestrel
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Swainson's Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Cedar Waxwing
Hooded Warbler
Northern Parula
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
American Goldfinch