Rufous-backed Robin Seen
Again Monday, March 27
Florida birder Dick Konz was rewarded Monday, March 27,
with a 9:45 glimpse of the elusive Rufous-backed Robin in the same general
area as in recent weeks: up in the tree canopy opposite trail marker #43 near
the olive grove just West of the Herb Garden. This marked the first report
of the Robin since one week before, when it was last reported March 20 by
Dr. Carl Tomoff.
Our most recent photograph of the Rufous-backed Robin was shared Jan. 18 by
Tony Godfrey. Here's a word of "Thanks!" to Tony for sharing his
image, and we advise visitors and viewers that both JPGs below are protected
by copywrite.
This next photo below was taken January 8 by Oliver Niehuis of ASU, who first
spotted and reported the rare bird. His complete checklist report is below;
to correspond with Dr. Niehuis about the bird, or about this photograph, email
o.niehuis@web.de
According to his report: "Rufous-backed Robin was seen (and photographed)
on the opposite side of the trail from the Herb Garden this morning; a Brown
Thrasher was seen nearby and White-throated Sparrow as well. Other highlights
today include American Goldfinch and Lincoln's Sparrow. Other species today
were American Coot, Marsh Wren and Red-winged Blackbird at Ayer Lake; Broad-billed
Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, ed-naped Sapsucker, Northern
Flicker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon
Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin,
Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler,
Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Green-tailed Towhee, Northern
Cardinal, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, 3 Western
Meadowlark, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow."