A most interesting question was posed to me by a birding friend.  I could not guess the answer despite some pretty good tries on my part. I open the question up to you.

The email, received on May 7 at 6:15AM, reads verbatim:

“RE: NEW YARD BIRD

‘This morning – flying with three of another related species (those were interesting enough in themselves). It was still a little dark out there; I would have missed it had it not been for the three companions. They all lit so I could get the scope on them to confirm the ID.”

Here are some hints:
1. The birder lives in upstate New York, in the northeast US.
2. The birder was at home when the sighting was made.
3. Habitat … the birder lives along the Hudson River, and so has good views of the river.  This area is also a migrant corridor for land birds.
4. With 207 on the yard list already, new ones are hard to come by.

Your guesses?

Written by Jory
Jory's first field guide-identified bird was a Northern Cardinal. This turned out to be his gateway drug into birding. In 2007 Jory became the least accomplished birder to see 300 birds in New York State in one year. He has birded the world over but maintains his birding "beginner mind", of which he is inordinately proud. Just ask him. Jory is the 10,000 Birds Avian Quizmaster, coming up with ever more diabolical ways to stump his legion of devoted fans. He lives with his wife and the possessions of his children just outside of Albany NY.