Two Lifers on Mt. Washington Auto Road Today

Bicknell's Thrush Catharus bicknelli seen today on the Mount Washington Auto Road
Bicknell's Thrush was only split from Gray-cheeked Thrush about 20 years ago, and is one of the species in North America with the smallest range both for breeding and wintering range. These birds are told from Gray-cheeked Thrush primarily by their range during breeding, and by their song which has specific minor differences. This was one of two species I still had not seen that breed in the New England area of the U.S. and was my primary target for today's trip. The second species was Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was the only common empidonax flycatcher found in the ABA area regularly that I'd not seen until today. It is arguably the easiest of this genus to identify by sight, having a distinctly yellowish belly, along with the eye ring and two wing bars of most empids. I used this overcropped photo because it best shows the field marks, I'll include a better photo but one less helpful in identification later in this post.

This species breeds in boreal forests and bogs, and I'd just not happened across one in migration, so hoped for it here on the breeding grounds, and was in luck today.

These two species bring my ABA life list to 718 species and my "lower 48" life list to 699. I guess the rest of my time in Maine will be recreational birding, rather than chasing my next lifer, as it's not likely I'll have a chance at another. That is really good news, as the best birding is just getting out to see what I can find, and enjoying the experience.

Other species seen today that cooperated for photos were:

Chipping Sparrow

A better photo of Yellow-bellied Flycatcher though showing field marks less well.

Blackpoll Warbler is a common breeder in this area.

White-throated Sparrow.![YTSP.JPG](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/Qme

A distant photo of the weather station atop Mount Washington. The highest recorded wind velocity in history was taken there 12 April 1934 at 231 mph (372 km/h)

Last a funny photo of a water can and sign on the very steep road.

Until next time good birding. Steem on!