Hunting for a Wayward Visitor

Word spread fast that an out of town bird watching group had found a Yellow-headed Blackbird lurking in some reeds behind a hotel. Best news was that it was just minutes form our house! No need to run 2 hours to get a new bird.

Yellow-headed Blackbirds are most common out West. Every now and then there is a sighting here in Florida. Strong fronts have been sweeping in of late and may have ushered this bird in the wrong direction.

I had some chores to run first thing in the morning so I would pass by the area on the way. It was just around dawn so I hoped traffic, cars and bird watchers alike, would be at a minimum.

I got to the spot and waited. Scanned the reeds. Waited. Nothing in sight but Red-winged Blackbirds and Grackles. Still, it is fun to watch the male Red-wings performing their calls and flaring their wings.



Not much else to see. Until a Limpkin flew in to look for Apple Snails.



Time was running out for today. No Yellow-headed Blackbird. I would have to try again next time.

Dang.