Thank you Linda, good timing, I actually have to drive right by there in a few minutes, I will take some time to see if I might re-find it as it would be a life bird for me.
And a quick aside about Merlin and pine grosbeak. I was at Leslie Gulch last weekend, and Merlin frequently would indicate pine grosbeak, but I did not quite trust it, I think it was being fooled by the many Townsend solitaires that were there – often when one would call, it would indicate both species. Merlin never indicated pine grosbeak by itself, and I never actually heard one calling. Must be something about those two bird calls that overlaps just enough to fool Merlin!
Have been out & about since daybreak with sev pre-winter (or in case of yesterday, winter!) projects. All morning, have seen & heard groups of both Trumpeter & Tundra Swans flying over, headed South.
Just a few minutes ago had a mixed flight in a perfect “V” formation of about 30 Tundra Swans, with 4 Snow Geese in upper right part of the “V”, near the point, a Blue Goose about 1/3 way back on the right side & another Snow Goose bringing up the right rear! Both the Snows & Tundras were all calling, as well! Have never seen such variety in a Tundra Swan group before. Exciting!
