The Fork-tailed Flycatcher is supposed to be in Argentina right now. Southern Mexico is the NORTHERN edge of its “normal” range. However, once in awhile this spectacular flyer…its forked tail is almost a foot long..wanders off course – 3,000 miles! Ornithologists theorize that some individuals’ internal clocks are spun around 180 degrees and thus migrate north, as opposed to south.
Considered a “code 3” (i.e. a couple sightings per year in North America) by the American Birding Association, the rare bird alert reported an adult male frequenting the Connecticut River’s Hamlyme ferry slip. Apparently content on devouring plentiful berries and lingering insects, it had been hanging around all week. This was Connecticut’s second forky in three years.
I had planned on chasing the code 5 (I have never seen a code 5 rarity!) Amazon Kingfisher in Harlingen, Texas this weekend. But a lack of reliable sightings this week combined with ridiculously cold and wet weather forecast for southern Texas, produced a brief moment of sanity….I post-poned Texas and headed to Connecticut.
Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Lyme, Ct)
Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Lyme, Ct)
birdtalesblog 
Perhaps the “brief moment of sanity” could reveal itself on a more regular basis? Love you
Good decision George. Sometimes the riches are in your backyard (so to speak)!
Wonderful bird….great photo….go George
Nicely done. Awesome tail, unmistakable! Did you guys hire a DD?
Sent from my iPhone KJB
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KB, call me Monday. Answer is no.
What a beautiful tail!!!!!!!
Those your photos?
I’m assuming it’s different from the Scissor Tailed Flycatcher. I’ve only seen the Scissor Tailed once, maybe twice. Thinking you were there too. Was it in the Keys?
Ffej
1968! We nailed the scissor-tailed. This one is South American….MY photos…yup
Sent from my iPhone
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So glad you got it!!!! What a beauty! Love the tail
On Sun, Dec 8, 2013 at 9:14 AM, birdtalesblog
Impressive, as was your decision-making concerning travel this weekend. (To that end, I hope you were back in 19010 in time to snuggle up and watch the “other” birds yesterday. NOT a good day to be out traveling around, Woody!)
You mentioned you needed Fork Tailed when I saw you at Merion this year. So glad you got it and didn’t take on the bad weather in TX.