- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Stephen Lyn Bales, editor

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Kingbird steals show at Birding & Breakfast Club brunch



The Ijams' Birding & Breakfast Club Osprey Brunch, earlier this month, was quite thrilling. The shortest bird walk of the year brought big returns. We had great views of the pair of osprey tending their brood and plenty of brunch to munch while we watched.

"It was like a Kentucky Derby event," said Cindy Moffet. 

Yet, surprisingly, an eastern kingbird stole the show in the field behind us. First, we watched its aerial maneuvers as it hunted large flying insects. Kingbirds are intense, perhaps that's why their scientific name is Tyrannus tyrannus (Latin for ruler, ruler). 

We were awed when our little tyrant chased away a much larger Cooper's hawk. That's gutsy!

Because of the heat, the July Birding & Breakfast Club program—Secrets of Backyard Birds—will be indoors at Ijams, Saturday, July 5. 

- Stephen Lyn Bales. Photos Vickie Henderson, Cindy Moffet.    










Eastern kingbird ruled his domain, 
even chasing away an annoying Cooper's Hawk. 






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