I will leave the exciting reports of this bird sighting to Dave and Bruce to tell it like it was. As it happened, after three hours of freezing yesterday to try to see this bird, I saw it today. In the early-morning hours the trail below White Hills was already lined with birders constantly scanning the area.
I was just lucky to have been there when Bruce Mactavish relocated Dave Brown's find of yesterday. The birders poured out onto the trail, and the race was on to reach the bird before it took off. We managed to get there in time to see this very rare bird - not just for Newfoundland, but for North America. The shots are poor, and the bird is camouflaged by all of the branches from the apple tree. Nevertheless, it is there, and it was seen. The few seconds of viewing was hardly proportionate to the amount of time spent looking. The best chance to see this bird again will be early in the morning. Fortunately, the weather has warmed a little making it easier for this bird to survive. It actually looked quite healthy.
This mess of branches is what I was shooting through in order to get the pitiful shots I got. The bird is sitting under the apple in the center in this shot. You will need to click on the picture to see an enlargement.
For more info check "Birdtherock" link at the bottom, right of this page.
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