The COVID lockdown enabled me to concentrate on birding my yard and local areas most of 2020 and I hadn’t chased a rarity since January. The appearance of a Eurasian Common Cuckoo in Rhode Island on November 1st more than caught my attention. Normally this species spends the late fall and winter in sub-Saharan Africa. Clearly this fellow was lost! Only the third time ever seen in the Lower 48 (why it’s a code 3 and not a code 5 perplexes me), the USA birding community mobilized.
I was not able to find 12 hours to drive to “Snake Den Farm” in Johnston, Rhode Island until Sunday November 8th. In order to comply with RI law, I took my COVID test within 72 hours of visiting….and proved negative.
Thankfully the weather has been unusually pleasant and this confused juvenile is content eating the vast supply of woolly caterpillars at the farm. I took my chances and left 19041 at 3am today. Four hours later the appearance of TWO Bald Eagles, our National symbol, eating roadkill on I395 in Norwich, CT, was a harbinger for a successful morning.
I pulled into the parking area adjacent to the farm at 7:30am and was surprised to see more than 20 cars with many different license plates already occupying most of the limited area. I quickly gathered my optics and walked briskly towards the assembled crowd a couple hundred yards away. A friendly couple approached and greeted me with a “Your timing is good”. I replied, “It better be, I just drove up from Philly”. They smiled and said: “That’s nice, we drove 14 hours from Columbia, SC”. This Cuckoo was an attention grabber!
Within minutes I had the stout vagrant in my view. I had planned to meet my brother (Wistar) at 7:30 but I didn’t see him. He lives only an hour away so I was about to text him when he texted me: “Where are you? I’m here”. I looked at the two guys to my right and one was him! I had walked past him in my excitement to see this mega-rarity. Blame the masks.
2020 has been a COVID nightmare and it also cost me a species on my life-list. The birding powers decided to lump the Northwestern Crow back in with the Common Crow. So the addition of the Common Cuckoo brought my ABA area (USA & Canada) life-list back to 785. But who’s counting? I AM!!
birdtalesblog 
Hey, George:
So glad to see another blog! Congratulations on the Cuckoo. And a double win that you got to see Wistar (I think.)
Keep ’em coming.
Hope to see you soon.
MB
________________________________
Thanks MJB!
Awesome! Rounds out a great weekend. Wish i could have been there to see it!
There is a Sharp-tailed sandpiper at Bombay Hook now
Is Wis in your photo? How’s he doing? Congrats on the bird!
GW
Thanks for sharing. Since I am not a birder I really enjoy learning the lingo… It’s like a new sport… And you’re coaching me
Regards, Norm Liedtke
Meyer, CEO…….Sent from my iPhone so any spelling or grammar mistakes are Siri’s fault of course
C. 610-909-0615
Way to go, George!
Thanks Jeff!
George, what great news during this crazy covid period. I admire your excitement in going after your dreams and fulfilling them, so happy to hear your good news, choppy
Thank you Choppy. I hope all is well in yr world.
Where in the sub Saharan?
Sent from my iPhone
>
Great story and great bird, George!
Cheers Mace. As is…..
So wonderful George!
Dawn E Weisbord Acupuncture~Qigong~Herbal Medicine Narberth Acupuncture 201 North Narberth Avenue Narberth, PA 19072 215-850-0921 http://www.acupunctureandqigong.com
>
Thanks Dawn!
Woodie: Your wonderful insanity of rare bird pursuit is particularly uplifting in these crazy times! Keep it going — 800!
Great fun…. Thank you for sharing!
Brinton!!!
Nice George
I love reading your birding adventures!!!!
Badass!
Jeff Watkinson
Watkinson Capital Advisors LLC.
http://watkinsoncap.com
Office #: 484-540-9218
Mobile: 610-761-5866
jeff@watkinsoncap.com
Important Disclosure Information:
This message (and any associated files) is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is confidential or subject to copyright. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, copying or distribution of this message, or files associated with this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it from your computer.
Please remember that past performance may not be indicative of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product made reference to directly or indirectly in this document will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), or be suitable for your portfolio. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained herein serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice Watkinson Capital Advisors LLC (or any of its related entities), or from any other investment professional. To the extent that
a reader has any questions regarding the applicability of any of the content to his/her individual situation, he/she is encouraged to consult with the professional advisor of his/her choosing.
NOT FDIC INSURED. MAY LOSE VALUE. NO BANK GUARANTEE.
GW,
always enjoy reading about your birding adventures.
good pics!
my son Jeff forwards your blog which is always fascinating especially to a non birder like me.
so cool what you do.
I got almost as excited as you, reading your post! I enjoy your enthusiasm during this time when we are mostly hunkered down at home.
Thanks Kathy! Need a rarity in Chicago:)
George,
Congratulations!
Bill and Joanne
Yay!!
THANK YOU favorite 5th grade math teacher!:)
George
I love these birdtales! Congrats on another Species! Great pic of it too.
All the best, Laurie
Late but THANK YOU! Season’s Greetings Laurie!
Thanks, George. I love reading your posts. Yes – we know you are counting!!