Stellar!

Today was exhilarating and exhausting. I don't consider myself a lister, although I keep a list and there is no way I'm a chaser -- but today I chased.

Not at first, I went hoping to hear an Eastern Screech Owl. Got up at 4:10, left for Middletown and was in place by 5:37am. I sat and listened and after a few minutes I heard in the distance two Eastern Screech Owls having a conversation. Too far for a recording, but it was unmistakable -- whinny's and clicks abounded. Wish is was closer, but glorious nonetheless. I went to Gardnier Pond nearby to try to hear a Long-eared Owl, but instead I heard a Great Horned Owl & another distant Eastern Screech Owl. Still fairly successful. Just as the sun was coming up and I was birding Third beach. The notice came in.

A Steller's Sea Eagle was spotted again (it was in the area on 12/12) in Somerset MA, only about 25 miles and 40 minutes from where I am. It is a spectacular bird -- (see link below) and very out of its range (Coastal Asia). I had to go -- this is the chase I mentioned. As I was pulling into the spot that was recommended for viewing, a caravan of cars (including one from RI I recognized) were streaming out of the parking lot. The chase continued - honestly the bird was so distant it was rather anticlimactic, but I could tell how big it was and some details from a scope view, but my photos looks like a very fuzzy bird version of Where's Waldo minus the stripped sweater. I went back to the original site and visited with some other RI birders and went home. Later on it flew up the river and folks got some spectacular photos.

I stopped at Trader Joe's and on my way home, the Western Tanager was refound and really near my house. Since I didn't get a photo, I went to try and get one. I did not. About 2 hours later someone else reporting seeing the bird and I went back and finally got photos (serviceable but not great) -- my second chase of the day.

I really do prefer it when the birds come to me. Tanager and Where's the bird photos attached.

Stellar's Sea Eagle