There are some birds that can drive you nuts when trying to see them in the
birding binoculars or any
binoculars, for that matter, during the summer months. The
Great Crested Flycatcher is one of those for me. We have one just outside our door in the surrounding woods, but even though I have one of my
compact binoculars constantly at hands reach in my trusty
Nikon Premier LX 10x25 and even though I dart immediately out on the deck when I hear that “wheep” call from the woods, I haven’t seen the darn bird in months. What’s even more frustrating, I hear this bird every day.
There is a reason for this, of course. The Great Crested Flycatcher tends to feed and perch high in the trees when it makes its call and when you are surrounded, as I am, with a thick and very tall northern coniferous and bog forest, that makes the bird all but invisible this time of year. Yes, I might get lucky and spot this flycatcher later this fall when some of the leaf cover thins, but this bird is an insect eater and not about to stick around for long when the nights turn frosty.
Did I mention, though, that with or without seeing this bird in the binoculars, it is a treat to have one right outside my door? I love these little
birdwatching challenges, so take my griping with a big smile.