Jan 112014
 

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

Tufted Flycatcher TUFL

On November 22, 2010 in Big Bend National Park I encountered the bird of a lifetime, a Tufted Flycatcher.

Tufted Flycatcher

Tufted Flycatcher

This was only the third time it was seen in Texas and only the 5th time it was seen in the US.

Species sighting map

Species sighting map

The other two sightings were in Arizona.

When I entered the bird in ebird I got a warning message….

eBird prompt

eBird prompt

The resulting entry created a rare bird alert.

eBird rare map

eBird rare map

I contacted the North America Rare Bird Alert which resulted in this posting.

NARBA Bird Alert

NARBA Bird Alert

And my bird on their site.

NARBA Posting

NARBA Posting

Photographing this bird set off a series of events, including attracting two Big Year birders.

I got an email from the American Birding Association for permission to use my photo on their website, ended up on their home page.

ABA Peeps Blog

ABA Peeps Blog

And the article they wrote.

ABA Peeps story

ABA Peeps story

I then get a call from Chris Hitt, a Big Year birder.  He and Bob Ake bought tickets and are headed to Texas.

Just one of many flights taken that year.

Chris Hitt map

Chris Hitt map

…..