I just wanted to report an unusual bird for this time of year. Chris Cokinos, John Mull and myself spotted a single, male Red-naped Sapsucker in Amalga, climbing and flying about in the Pines near the Amalga City Hall building, on Saturday, 12-18-04, during the CBC. We saw the definitive red nape, extensive red on the throat and heard it call a few times. I just went out there this morning and the bird is still there.
Another interesting bird I saw over the weekend, with my partner, Carolee Lavery, was a Northern Pygmy Owl, in the parking area of Wood Camp, yesterday (Sunday) afternoon at about 3:30 - 4:00 pm.
We were able to call the Owl in by playing the call on the cars CD player. I did not see it fly in, but after 5-6 plays of the call, I looked above me on an overhanging branch and the cute little thing was staring right down at me. We got some pics of it, which were pretty dark, but you can make out the raised eyebrow, black-streaked stomach, long thin tail with white bars on it. It flicked its tail from side to side as it sat and watched us. As soon as we turned away from it, the owl flew into a tree off to our left, with its back to us. It turned its head around to keep an eye on us and then eventually took off. At no point did we ever see it in flight. Pretty crafty little bird.
Happy Holidays to all &
Peace On Earth (It can happen if you just raise your voice!)
Stephen Peterson