Tweeters, OBOLers, and AZ-NMers,

I know that this does not have to do with your states, but since the
Nutting's is a third or fourth ABA record type bird, I thought those with a
lot of frequent flyer miles or who like to spend a lot of time in their cars
might want to know about this bird.

We and thirty plus birders saw the bird today and based on the fact that it
has been present since mid November, but only re-IDed yesterday, short of it
dying of indigestion as it ate a lizard that appeared to be impossible for it
to get down its throat, hopefully it will be wintering.

I am including a web site address where you can see a write-up and pictures
of the bird and information from the Orange County listservice which tells
you about the bird and its location.

Happy Holidays and a Great New Year,

John C. LeVine
Birders2 at aol.com




http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/descriptions.htm

FWD:

A flycatcher first found on November 11, 2000 by Jim Pike and
Doug Willick and tentatively identified as a Dusky-capped
Flycatcher has today now been identified as a NUTTING'S
FLYCATCHER. The identification was made after the bird started
to consistently call. Others present today were Joe Morlan, Brian
Daniels, Robbie Fischer, Maya Decker, John Bradley, Joel
Weintraub, Jim Pike, and others. If accepted, this would be a first
state record for this species.

Pictures of both the Nutting's Flycatcher and the owl, as well as
some jpgs for directions, can be found at (MAKE SURE THAT
THE ADDRESS OF TWO LINES IS SHOWN AS ONE LINE ON
YOUR ADDRESS LINE):

http://www.egroups.com/files/OrangeCountyBirding/Nutting%27s+Fl
ycatcher/

Also at the site was a LONG-EARED OWL.... a pretty unusual bird
species for Orange County away from private canyons in the Santa
Ana Mountains.

WE REQUEST BIRDERS TO REMAIN ON THE CONCRETE
FOOTPATH AND NOT PLAY TAPES OR MOVE THROUGH THE
VEGETATION.

Directions...both birds are at Mason Regional Park in Irvine. From
Culver Drive (off the 405 freeway) continue south past University to
Campus Drive. Turn left on Campus (east)....you will be going to
the east side of Mason Regional Park...an undeveloped area. After
your left on Campus, make a left when Campus 'Ts' at Turtle Rock
Drive. Make the next left which is Hillgate and park at Hillgate
where it "Ts" with Rockview. Go down the path to the east of the
Apartments/Condos.... SEE THE AERIAL on the website for a
view of the area. Area "A" is where a first year Harris's Sparrow
was seen on Thursday (yesterday) it is a lerpy euc area that
borders the north side of the development.... Area "B" is where the
Nutting's Flycatcher was today (at least while I was there from
about 11 am to 1:30 pm).... Area "C" on the aerial is where the owl
was. See the jpg OwlDirections for clues as to where to look (if it
is still roosting in the same thicket) for the owl.. PLEASE DO NOT
LEAVE THE PATH.

In general the Nutting's starts the morning in the willows, moves
east towards the Y branch of the road, may cross the road, and
hunt in the small sycamores. It is pretty quiet...I think this morning
it had two or three calls in a 6-7 hour period, but called more
frequently I understand later this afternoon. After hunting it flew
back to the willows where it must roost during the middle of the
day.