NJBIRDS,

Michael Fahay reports an Ash-throated Flycatcher today, as follows. Please note and obey the parking and access rules if you go to look for it.

"There's an ash-throated fly on the Hook. I have just left him (@ 1 P.M.), apparently happy with his location, hawking insects. He's in the fenced in, old radar site. As you approach Horseshoe Cove (coming north), follow the sign directing you to Beach Parking. After this road (we call it "the Beach Road") turns left at a corner, watch on the left for a grown-over asphalt driveway. I marked it with a hunk of yellow police tape. Walk in thru the open gate to an asphalt 'courtyard' with 2 piles of brush in the middle. The bird is working the perimeter of this open spot, generally from perches in the strike zone (e.g. between knee- and shoulder-high). Also occasionally cranes his neck to look upwards with a sideways tilt of the head.

"Admittedly, parking is a problem near here. I guess I would park in the small lot before the Horseshoe Cove lot, then walk the road east, turning north at the corner. Look for the police tape and go in thru the gate. I wouldn't be too obvious, since officially the radar site is closed to the public.

"I watched him for ca 10 minutes, scribbling notes on both sides of a 3x5 card. During that time he worked the area in a circle around me, leading me to believe he'll stick around for awhile. If you don't see him immediately, listen for a loud mandible 'snap' or a soft, single whistle. Good luck."

Posted by Laurie Larson
llarson@princeton.edu