Vermillion Flycatcher and White-winged Dove

[Catherine Carroll]

Birders,

Have just returned from a weekend in the UP for the V. Flycatcher and  
W-w Dove - successful with both.  I saw one W-w Dove on Friday, 11/10  
and the V. Flycatcher on the morning of 11/11/06.  The flycatcher  
seemed hale and hearty, despite some rain and intermittent snow.  It  
did snow in the UP (and the northern LP) but it was not overly cold  
and the flycatcher seemed successful in catching insects.  Overall,  
the snow made for great UP beauty with snow clinging to the trees and  
occasionally being lit by sunshine.

I guess the biggest surprise bird of the weekend (the relief of the  
dove and the flycatcher remaining viewable notwithstanding) was the  
presence of a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in the woods behind the gift shop  
at Whitefish Point.  I was so surprised that I went running out to  
the waterfowl hut to borrow Tom's Sibley guide just to make sure it  
was indeed a B-g Gnatcatcher.  Apparently, it has been there for some  
days now.  Two to three Sharp-tailed Grouse were easily flusable out  
near the tip.

In addition to the Vermillion Flycatcher in Big Bay, three Bald  
Eagles (2 adults and 1 juvenile) and one Northern Shrike were seen.   
My first Common Mergs of the season were also see Saturday in the  
vicinity of the flycatcher.

Overall, it was a terrific weekend.

Cathy Carroll
Dearborn, MI