Chirps and Cheeps

A big thanks goes out to Gale VerHague for reporting her sighting of a Glossy Ibis. The range map for this bird shows that it's way off course. Normally, the Glossy Ibis is found along the east coast or down along the gulf coast.  The ibis was once uncommon in the United States, but its range - and its numbers are increasing.  Maybe one day they'll be regular residents of Western New York.

But for this guy tonight, I felt kind of bad for it as we watched it soar over the marsh. He flew up, circled a couple of times  - then flew back in - then out - then in - repeating this indecisive circling several times. It appears that it wants to continue its journey but right now it's a little directionally challenged. Poor thing; I wonder how it got so far off course.

When we first arrived, we got an extra bonus: an Orchard Oriole was being viewed by a few people who were waiting for the Ibis to show itself again.  This was my first look at an Orchard Oriole - a beautiful bird that sings beautifully too!

Another 2-lifer day - wow!