Western Kingbird AND Black-crowned Night Heron at Green Pond! ~ October 20, 2024

Late on Saturday, there was a report of a probable Western Kingbird at Green Pond by Marc Chelemer. Early Sunday morning, I went there to see if I could find it. Adam Miller was already there doing the same thing. Soon after I arrived, he located it on the fence surrounding the southwest pond behind the flooded field area. It was very ratty-looking. The normally yellowish belly was very pale.

Western Kingbird

When it returned to the fence after flycatching, I got some photos showing the white edging on the outer tail feathers, which confirmed that it was indeed a Western Kingbird.

The white edgings of the outer tail feathers of a Western Kingbird.

Stains that looked like blood were seen on the flanks of the bird and around its bill, which was found to be missing half of its upper mandible.

The Western Kingbird with a broken upper mandible.

When the bird raised its wings, I noticed an apparent wound to its right wingpit.

Note the apparent wound to the wingpit of the Western Kingbird.

Despite its injuries, the bird was successfully feeding and actively flying around the entire area. Hopefully, it fully recovers as it continues its migration.

After getting photos of the kingbird, I walked over to Green Pond and saw the continuing Black-crowned Night Heron perched in its preferred tree in the northeast corner of the pond

The immature Black-crowned Night Heron.

Also seen there were an American Black Duck, a Green-winged Teal, 2 Killdeer, a couple 'fly-by' groups of Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a Great Blue Heron, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 6 Eastern Bluebirds, 2 American Pipits, 11 White-throated, 18 Savannah, and 3 Chipping Sparrows, 14 Red-winged Blackbirds, and a Palm Warbler.

From there, I headed over to the Hollo Road retention pond. The pond is really shrinking in size due to our lack of rain. The lingering Least Sandpiper was still there along with 8 Killdeer.

Least Sandpiper

Also present were a Pectoral Sandpiper, a 'fly-by' American Pipit, 9 Savannah Sparrows, and a Swamp Sparrow.

Pectoral Sandpiper

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