Limpkin - Niagara County
Willie D'Anna
The Limpkin in Lewiston, along the Niagara River, was seen throughout the day today. It is sticking to a very small area – a linear strip about 50 yards long. If you don’t see it, just carefully check the weeds at the base of the slope for any movement. It can really hide in there! Early this morning it was about 50 yards directly south of the small patch of weeds that it stayed in yesterday but later it moved back into that patch, which is next to the blue-gray harbor master building and a shed. There shouldn’t be much more than a few flurries in Lewiston tomorrow and getting there shouldn’t be a problem if you are coming from the east. Those coming in on the Thruway from Pennsylvania may have slick roads from tonight’s snow but the weather conditions should not be that bad during the day tomorrow.
The coordinates are 43.173805, -79.049374 Mapped pin: https://goo.gl/maps/CyuEbPmWpmwBt1DL8 This is below the cliff, down at river level. You must park above at street level and take the stairs down. For those who have difficulty walking, you can be driven down and let off at water level. Look for the blue-gray building that says “harbor master” over one of the doors. Next to it is a blue-gray shed. The weeds that it was hanging out in all afternoon on Tuesday are between those two buildings, which are only 15 feet apart. The bird sometimes moves behind one of the buildings but you can usually find it by moving around. It is close, only 30 feet or so away, though usually obscured or made invisible by weeds, and does not seem particularly concerned about people. However, please do not surround it, as it does sometimes like to come out into the open. I suggest that people stay off the grass in order to give it some space. You will still get great views.
PLEASE NOTE: If anyone notices the bird showing concerning behavior, such as lethargy, noticeable limping, or dragging a wing, could you please contact me ASAP. At this point the bird looks perfectly healthy, is finding lots of snails, and was even seen to fly when startled by a loud noise today.
Good birding!
Willie
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Willie D'Anna
Wilson, NY
dannapotterATroadrunnerDOTcom
Willie D'Anna
The Limpkin in Lewiston, along the Niagara River, was seen throughout the day yesterday and was there again this morning. It is sticking to a very small area – a linear strip about 50 yards long. If you don’t see it, just carefully check the weeds at the base of the slope for any movement. It can really hide in there!
If you have not seen the bird by now, unfortunately, your opportunity may soon be over. I know this will be disappointing/upsetting to those who have had no chance to chase it during the week and were waiting for the weekend. Although there may be disagreement on whether or not humans should intervene, there is strong consensus among people that I have talked with that the health of this bird should be the primary consideration. A rehabilitator has been alerted who is willing to transport the bird to Florida. Although the bird seems fine now, we know how quickly things can change. We are fairly certain from past experience (the Anhinga near Rochester), that this bird will not simply leave when things get really bad for it. Therefore, its capture may come sooner rather than later. Capturing a healthy bird often results in a better outcome than capturing one that is already unwell. Please don’t ask me exactly when this will occur because I don’t know. It could be today. We will continue to monitor the Limpkin and try to assess its condition, as well as watch what the weather is or will be doing.
The snowstorm in Buffalo is horrendous right now and there is a driving ban in parts of Buffalo and the suburbs. Nobody should be driving into or close to the city to see this bird. If you are coming from the east, go through Rochester and come along Lake Ontario, then back south to Lewiston.
The coordinates are 43.173805, -79.049374 Mapped pin: https://goo.gl/maps/CyuEbPmWpmwBt1DL8 This is below the cliff, down at river level. You must park above at street level and take the stairs down. For those who have difficulty walking, you can be driven down and let off at water level. Look for the blue-gray building that says “harbor master” over one of the doors. Next to it is a blue-gray shed. The weeds that it was hanging out in all afternoon on Tuesday are between those two buildings, which are only 15 feet apart. The bird sometimes moves behind one of the buildings but you can usually find it by moving around. It is close, only 30 feet or so away, though usually obscured or made invisible by weeds, and does not seem particularly concerned about people. However, please do not surround it, as it does sometimes like to come out into the open. I suggest that people stay off the grass in order to give it some space. You will still get great views.
PLEASE NOTE: If anyone notices the bird showing concerning behavior, such as lethargy, noticeable limping, or dragging a wing, could you please contact me ASAP.
Thanks and good birding!
Willie D'Anna
I just wanted to give a heads up that there is a plan to capture the Limpkin as soon as possible, with people currently on site. I am sorry for people who might be on their way now but this turned out to be the best time for the rehabbers and, with the weather, probably for the bird as well.
When I hear more, I will post what I know.
Willie
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Alemap10
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Planning on a fundraising effort as soon as I get the ok from the rahabber to reveal who they are.
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Nancy Karp
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