I had been unable to try for the bird until the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, so I was pleasantly surprised that the bird was still there. The Gadds have been giving daily updates on the bird, which was a huge help when deciding to make such a long-distance try for it. One of our activities while driving the long stretch of I-95 through Maine was watching the car thermometer, which dipped down to minus 16 (-16) degrees Farenheit at one point! In Canada, we hit some light snow between Fredericton and our destination. When we arrived at their backyard just before first light on the 28th, it was zero degrees Farenheit. Luckily, the blustery winds from the day before had calmed down. After watching the bird's main food source, a mountain ash tree full of berries, for over an hour, a Texas birder drove up and told us that he had seen the bird at another group of mountain ash trees about a block away. We decided to go up there while the other birding couple stayed at the original site. About 15 minutes later, they drove up and told us that the bird was back at its favorite tree. Thankfully, the bird was still there when we got there. We got great looks at it through the scope and I managed to get some fairly decent photos of it through the many branches.
When the snow starting picking up in intensity, we eventually headed home. It was a very successful 1701-mile journey. Thanks to the Gadds for a historic find and all their hospitality and help.
More photos of the bird can be found in my New Brunswick Adventures Album.
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