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Sunday, February 16, 2014

Team 61 gets lucky, sees Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Dear Emily,

I am the volunteer State data reviewer for the Great Backyard Bird Count. My goal is to keep up with data submissions and try to ensure the accuracy of reports of rare and unusual species, as well as unusually high counts of common species.

Emily, this is an interesting report. Either of these species would be an exciting find. Black-headed Grosbeak has occurred but once in Ohio to our knowledge. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak makes an appearance in winter about every 4 years. And your description seems to point to that species. I would urge every effort be made to obtain a photo. Even a snapshot from a point n shoot or smart phone through the window would likely be enough for incontrovertible documentation. Short of obtaining a photo, a more detailed description of the plumage, and especially the structure of the bird (bill, tail, wings, etc) can serve as a substitute.

How about that! We answered back we are satisfied it is the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and will make every effort to get a photo. Jan has seen the bird over the last two weeks, mostly in the heavy brush cover in the ravine behind the house. Of course, no one has spent fifteen minutes observing bird feeders before! I believe I am observing a new camera in my future. With a view finder. About 60x, what do you think?



But not for a week or so; tomorrow is my other cataract surgery.

19 comments:

  1. I don't remember ever seeing that bird. It certainly is a cutie.

    Good luck tomorrow. I am sure everything will go well.

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  2. All the best for tomorrow, Joanne.

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  3. What an attractive little bird. Hope you manage to photograph it. And good luck with the surgery tomorrow.

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  4. They are beautiful birds...they glean food from the underside of leaves and it's quite tricky to see them in the foilage. Well spotted,hope you get the photo.
    Enjoy your tea strainer.
    Jane x

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  5. The rose breasted grosbeak is such a beautiful bird. It's one of those you always remember the first time you saw one... for me, it was on a field trip in West Virginia in 1975... it still stands out in my memories.

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  6. Joanne, this rose breasted grosbeak is delightful!!! I pray that all goes well for you, your posts are so appreciated. Sending you a hug.

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  7. Congrats on the bird sightings and good luck with your surgery...you're going to be seeing SO much better.

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  8. Very, very lucky to see that bird. And GOOD LUCK for tomorrow. I will be thinking of you.

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  9. That's a very pretty little bird, what a lucky sighting if it really is the rarely seen one. I think a new camera with a better zoom is a fine idea. I got one with a 30x just before Christmas in the sales.
    Hope the surgery goes as well as the first one.

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  10. So good Emily had a reply. Good luck Joanne x

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  11. Hari OM
    EXCITEMENT ALL ROUND!!!! Here's to outcomes ditto. YAM xx

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  12. I hope after your cataract surgery the grosbeak doesn't turn out to be a robin.

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  13. How exciting……surgery and a new camera. Great bit of birding.

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  14. we had a totally unexpected visitor about 20 years ago at the city house. a bul-bul. heck, they don't even live on this continent. but apparently some escaped captivity and now there are three populations in the US, but still not in my area. they hung around for a couple of months and then were never seen again. new camera with a good zoom sounds necessary to me.

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  15. I wish you well for the surgery.
    As to the bird: impressing!

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  16. Best of luck tomorrow, my results from the same thing were excellent, hope the same for you.

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  17. Hope the surgery went wll! Soon you'll have great vision in both eyes and can spot thot gosbeak miles away. It is a pretty bird; hope a picture can be taken of it for reporting purposes.

    betty

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  18. Hope all went fine with your second surgery!

    A new camera ... sounds like fun.

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  19. Hope your surgery goes well and you recover in record time. A new camera, yes!

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