Subject: [Tweeters] Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher
Date: Sep 26 10:28:11 2004
From: Joe Corvino - corvinojm at charter.net


Carolyn and I along with our birding buddy Shirley Muse were finally able to get to Moses Lake to see the flycatcher. He (adult male, I believe) is in the area described in prevous posts--the area north of the intersection of Randolph and Tyndall Roads along Randolph Road.

We arrived about 4:30. We spent about an hour looking for the bird both west and east of Randolph from the intersection to the gate leading into Moses Lake Industries. We caught tantalizing glimpses of this bird west of Randolph in the Moses Lake Industrial area. These views were not very satisfyng as the bird was a distance away and gave only brief views.

After an hour our patience was finally rewarded. The flycatcher flew directly over us and across Randolph Road to the east. After putting on an aerial display, he percherd on a metal structure, in the open, perhaqps 100 yards from the road. We spent the next hour watching him, in perfect light, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. He would perch for a while, then put on a brief, maybe 30 second aerial display, then perch again. The bird was very beautiful with red flanks and abdomen tinged with orange and yellow highlights when the sun hit it just right. The light head had blue highlights. When he raised his wing there were bright red axillaries.

We were also treated to the flycatcher feeding on a sphinx moth.

This bird apparently stays very much in the area described. I suggest patient waiting for him to show himself.

Joe Corvino
Walla Walla, WA

corvinojm at charter.net