Bird Group

Our visit to the Cat's Hill area was well worth the long drive and early 5 am start. The first visit to an area always creates an air of excitement and anticipation that seems to override the thought that you might be losing some much loved sleep. So with sleepy eyes and yawns we set off and even though we didn't see the Lesson's Seedeaters that had been reported, we enjoyed a very productive day's birding that left everyone with a great feeling of accomplishment.

This seemd to be Raptor's Day as they put in a good appearance - two Plumbeous Kites, a White Hawk, a pair of Swallow-tailed Kites, Yellow-headed Caracara and the catch of the day, a black-morph Double-toothed Kite.  Being the first sighting for many in the group of a black-morph Double-toothed Kite made it the highlight of the day and the cause of great excitement. The Kite remained perched for such a long while, enabling us to examine and debate over every detail, thus aiding in it's positive identification. The White Hawk and Caracara would also not be left out as they too sat long enough to have their portraits taken. As we had found on Edwards Road further to the south, the birds were not at all shy, suggesting that they are not being harassed by the hunters.

More details to follow...  Plus pictures in the Gallery. http://ttfnc.org/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=5