I was contacted by CBS reporter Meg Baker, to comment on the Couch's Kingbird that has been hawking insects on Jane Street in the West Village. Happy to oblige I left work, on my lunch hour, and headed downtown. There were still quite a mob of birders with 400-600mm lens and binoculars scouting the area trying to locate the yellow Tyrannus couchii on trees and balconies in the immediate area. The reporter seemed interested and amused by the birders who were so dedicated to their hobby of finding, photographing, recording and listing birds. We are an odd, but dedicated bunch of people who chase birds (twitchers) and stalk them until we get the "ahhh." For some it can almost be a religious experience, others a competitive sport to try and see more birds in a year than your fellow birders (big year). We have a separate way of speaking with codes and time references. Gestures, winks, pointing and facial expressions that let our fellow birders know what we see and how they can see it too. We are a close knitted society of dedicated individuals. Some of us are loners and depend on the birds to bring us together at a familiar birding site. Others bring their families or partner with a spouse who also enjoys the sport. Many plan vacations based on life birds they have yet to see and record.
So while all the fuss in the West Village may seem strange to some it is a lot of fun for birders. Seeing a rare bird in NYC is amazing. And one of this magnitude that has never even been close to this part of the world simply amazing. The Couch's kingbird most likely was swept up the coast, from its home territory of Mexico and Guatemala by a storm with high winds. Will he survive a NYC winter? We certainly hope so, but if the insects begin to disappear we certainly hope this holiday treat will take his cue and look for warmer areas to hawk his insects and delight others.
Thank you Meg Baker, CBS
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/video/10987764-rare-find-has-new-york-bird-watching-community-chirping-with-excitement/
So while all the fuss in the West Village may seem strange to some it is a lot of fun for birders. Seeing a rare bird in NYC is amazing. And one of this magnitude that has never even been close to this part of the world simply amazing. The Couch's kingbird most likely was swept up the coast, from its home territory of Mexico and Guatemala by a storm with high winds. Will he survive a NYC winter? We certainly hope so, but if the insects begin to disappear we certainly hope this holiday treat will take his cue and look for warmer areas to hawk his insects and delight others.
Thank you Meg Baker, CBS
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/video/10987764-rare-find-has-new-york-bird-watching-community-chirping-with-excitement/
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