Reported at the Midwest Birding Symposium on September 18, 2009: one Kirtland’s Warbler, Dendroica kirtlandii, seen that morning in East Harbor State Park near Lakeside, Ohio. Widespread reaction: twitch!
One of the keys to a good twitch is being able to read the subtle signs left by previous viewers of the bird.
Twitch signs with attached details are particularly helpful.
At first, there is often a reverent silence as everyone looks hopefully skyward.
After a little time, formerly poised-for-action binoculars are lowered to a relaxed position.
Some experienced birders know the tiresomeness of continually looking upward and thus adopt a more practical viewing position (as demonstrated in this picture by Birdchick).
Eventually, movement is noticed among the foliage and the assembled group moves in for a closer look.
See the Kirtland’s Warbler in these trees?
Neither did I.
C’est l’observation d’Oiseaux.
September 18, 2009 @ 22:36
Hee hee..better luck next time! enjoying your tweets and posts from mwbs
September 19, 2009 @ 10:14
To be honest, I don’t know which is more interesting, the bird or the chase to see it. Thanks for sharing the surrounding events!
-Mike
September 20, 2009 @ 14:13
I did not see the Kirtlands Warbler either but really enjoyed the symposium. Since I was in the market for new binoculars, I bought some from the Amish gentleman. Being on a no more paper into the house campaign I did not sign up for The Bobolink but I was also pleased to find that Amish are part of the birding community.
September 20, 2009 @ 19:11
…neither did I (and I have a photo of that tree as well!). I was there while others saw him, but I was too far left or on the wrong side. That’s okay…at least I was in the presence of the bird. 🙂 Great meeting you in the vendor’s booth!
September 23, 2009 @ 19:19
John, you definitely did an expert job of capturing the miasma of emotion accompanying a twitch, successful or not. I’m glad to say I emerged from this scene with a Kirtland sighting. Sweet!
October 2, 2009 @ 12:38
Hi John-
It was a bit of work, but after a couple hours of looking up, Wayne Petersen were rewarded with amzing looks- worth every pang of neck pain!
Thanks for documenting the site,and it was great seeing you at MBS. Looking forward to Space Coast again in 2010.
Cheryl