David Bell and I were birding the tip area around noon when Jeremy Bensette called (he works at Pelee Wings). Jeremy had news of a female Painted Bunting coming to the bird feeders across the street from Pelee Wings! Maris Apse had found the bird (chatting with him later, it was the first stop he made on his way to Pelee - a quck check of the feeders). Within seconds I had sent out text messages to any birders I knew were in the area and it wasn't long until Jeremy texted that he had seen and photographed the bird.
Eventually the shuttle arrived to pick us up from the tip, and we raced (at the speed limit of course) north out of the park. Without further ado - the bunting!
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| Painted Bunting - April 29, 2013 |
My photos at the time weren't very good, but I returned later this evening and had an absolutely amazing half hour, photographing the bird at eye level from only about 10 feet away. It was not too concerned with our presence - it just wanted to feed!
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| Painted Bunting - April 29, 2013 |
It appears to be a 2nd year bird based on the contrast between the primary and secondary coverts. It is in female type plumage but it could be a 2nd year male - I don't have any good resources on me at the moment.
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| Painted Bunting - April 29, 2013 |
Thanks, Maris for a great bird! As of the end of the 2011 OBRC report, there were 31 accepted records of Painted Bunting in Ontario. There are two previous for the Point Pelee birding area.
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| Painted Bunting - April 29, 2013 |
It will be exciting to see what tomorrow brings!!
12 comments:
There are three previous records for the Point Pelee Birding Area:
May 7-15, 2002: one adult male, Sleepy Hollow
May 20-23, 1996: one female, Holiday Harbour
May 26, 2005: one female type, Cemetery Trail
I only saw 2 accepted OBRC birds for Essex County - forgot about the Holiday Harbour one (because it is Chatham-Kent). Cool.
Thanks again for alerting me soon enough to get this one during my lunch hour. Perhaps my favourite birding experience of the year so far it was so rushed and crazy.
We currently live in Timmins, Ontario, retiring to the Goderich area, looking forward to getting over to Point Pelee often, beautiful pics of this bird.
Isn't she a pretty thing! Great bird Maris! Lovely pictures Josh, we are heading that way on Wednesday, I hope she is still hungry :-)
Amazing photos Josh. I picked up some food from the "Birdies Perch Bus" as I arrived on the scene and was wondering if those feeders would attract the bird... I guess they did!
Excellent captures, Josh!
It was nice meeting you & David this afternoon at the Tip. :)
Happy Birding!
Thanks Karen! All the best through the rest of your Pelee trip...
I have to say, their burritos are absolutely fantastic...Definitely my favorite place to eat in the Pelee area.
Good luck, Joann! Unfortunately the bunting seems to be gone, but all kinds of good birds have been seen in the area the last few days.
No worries, it was good to see you got it!!
Thanks a lot! Pelee is pretty much the best.
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