Hi all! The word "rarity" intimidated me when I was 14. I thought surely if it was casual or accidental, I would NEVER see it, or it would be highly unlikely. Well now after chasing an accidental, I know now that casuals and accidentals are just as obtainable as any common bird. Rare bird reports happen every day here in Maricopa. Most are locally and county rare, but sometimes, like before I was a birder (back when I used the term "birdwatching" and couldn't tell you which was a Greater Scaup or a Lesser Scaup) something unbelievable shows up. Like the BAIKAL TEAL at Gilbert Water Ranch (yeah, the same place with the Northern Parula) in 2010!!! My rarity that I chased wasn't an Asiatic, or a South American, rather, it's a bird that's very common in the Lower 48, but very rare in Alaska. I hope that doesn't drive you away from this post, because seeing this bird against an Alaskan backdrop is something truly unforgettable!
To read the rest of the story, visit my blog @ https://ak-azbirder.weebly.com/blog/timeline-series-august-13-14-2016-my-first-rarity-chase.
To read the rest of the story, visit my blog @ https://ak-azbirder.weebly.com/blog/timeline-series-august-13-14-2016-my-first-rarity-chase.
