"a model of superb documentation"

["L. D. Giddings" <seldom74 at xmission dot com>]

The following note was posted - in part - on the Arizona listserv
yesterday:

"There wasn't much else to soften the blow, except for a waterthrush on
the river directly east of the Kingfisher Pond. According to the
sightings book, it has been seen several times recently (I don't recall
seeing it reported here though - shame on those observers!) and it
has been reported as both Louisiana and Northern - the consensus seemed
to be for Northern. I disagree, however, and think it was a
LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH. I have put a few record shots and some notes on
why I think that ID is correct at
http://richardfray.topcities.com/waterthrush.htm. I am very
inexperienced with waterthrushes so would appreciate ANY comments.
Thanks!"

A few hours later it received the following response:

Subject: Re: Waterthrush, yes, kingfisher, no.
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2005 22:29:22 -0700
From:  Kenn Kaufman <kenn.kaufman@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>

Good show, Richard, your waterthrush is definitely a Louisiana, for all
the
reasons that you mention on your website.  Furthermore, I have to say
that
your photos / notes on it are a model of superb documentation.

The status of the two waterthrushes in Arizona makes for an intriguing
pattern.  Northern is a regular migrant in small numbers through
Arizona,
and it's one of the most numerous of the "eastern" warblers to occur
throughout the west.  By contrast, Louisiana is one of the rarest of all

eastern warblers in most parts of the west -- there are extremely few
records for California, for example.  Even in Arizona, it's extremely
rare
in most of the state.  But along rivers and streams near the Mexican
border,
especially the Nogales / Patagonia / Huachucas area, Louisiana
Waterthrush
is apparently a regular winter resident in very small numbers.   So
although
the Northern would be the more likely of the two at most seasons in most

parts of Arizona, the Lousiana is actually more likely in midwinter in a

place like the upper San Pedro.   However, further refinement of our
knowledge of the distribution of these birds will only be possible if
birders continue to document sightings of both.  Thanks Richard!

Kenn Kaufman
Tucson, AZ

******************************************************

Take a good look at http://richardfray.topcities.com/waterthrush.htm. It
is indeed a model of superb documentation.

Lu Giddings


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