I must say it was a bit of a struggle to get going this morning. First, it was rather difficult falling asleep after the adrenaline rush of one of the greatest comebacks in college football history (ESPN’s words, not mine!). Then, it was rather difficult to tear myself off the couch – I considered spending the morning watching Sportscenter over and over again.

Frankly, I must admit that I had only a glimmer of hope of beating #3 Louisville last night, but that fact that we not only won, but so thoroughly dominated both sides of the ball after falling behind 25-7 was truly amazing. (If you missed it, you can watch it on ESPN Classic tonight, by the way). But folks, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is 9-0 – and has a real chance at a BCS Bowl Game. Wow! (By the way, the next person who bashes NJ on Colleen’s “From Away” blog is going to be hearing it from me – the Jersey pride is beaming today!)

And if it was December, I would likely still be at home, still watching Sportscenter over and over again. But, it’s rarity season, so with coffee in-hand, I struggled out the door. Sunny skies, and more unseasonably warm temps (by the way, the 69 degree high temp in Portland yesterday was a new record) added to the allure – especially during Rarity Season.

After my success on Sunday on the Portland Peninsula, I began there again today. The Eastern Promenade, was warm, sunny, and fairly active. Not as many birds overall today, but pockets of sparrows flitted through the brush. A Fox Sparrow, a few Hermit Thrushes, and a late Common Yellowthroat joined the more common sparrows, including a noticeable increase in American Tree Sparrows. A few Snow Buntings and Horned Larks were moving overhead, and a Merlin zipped by.

I ran into Leon, who mentioned, “I had a Great-crested Flycatcher in Scarborough yesterday.” “ARE YOU SURE?!” I blurted. See, many – if not most – Great-crested Flycatcher reports this late in the season in the Northeast turn out to be – if they are ever seen again – Ash-throated Flycatchers! (The species, which you may have noticed I have been mentioning now and again of late). Unfortunately, Leon’s description was perfect for a Great-crested. But, there’s always the chance, so I suggested, “Hey, let’s make a run down there and I’ll try and prove you wrong.” “Please do!” So we headed out.

A quick stop at Sheridan Street – where Dan and I had the Yellow-breasted Chat on Sunday and a number of birders have been twitching ever since – produced two more Fox Sparrows and a decent look at the Chat.

We arrived in the condo complex that Leon found the flycatcher in yesterday, and wandered around the edge. A short while later, Leon exclaims, “Got it.” Great-crested Flycatcher...darn.

Lemon-yellow belly, darker cap/top of head, olive-brown back, rufous wings. Long bill, pale base to the lower mandible. The black-ish tertials with wide, white margins really stuck out. We even had great looks at the pattern of the undertail, just to be sure. Talking about a cooperative bird! (That’s how you know it wasn’t a rarity!).

But, in November, Great-crested Fly is a heckuva bird, and we took the opportunity to study it extensively – in preparation for the next Myiarchus flycatcher which WILL be an Ash-throat. Got some good pics too. A few symptoms of Rarity Fever were noted as well – and a Carolina Wren for good measure.

As we were heading back to Portland, Turk called, “Hey, just wanted to let you know I had the Chat on Sheridan St.” “Oh, us too, must have just missed you there.”

We joined up in Portland and Leon and Turk joined me for my loop of Downtown Portland plantings and gardens. We must have made quite the sight – three binocular toting men wandering the downtown making funny noises at bushes and wandering around gardens. We tallied 7 Hermit Thrushes, 3 White-throated Sparrows, 1 Song Sparrow, and a single Swamp Sparrow at One Portland Square.

While chatting about chats, Turk mentioned, that he saw the chat “near the church.” “Church, what church, there’s no church by the chat.” Long story short, we realized that we were talking about two different chats at two different lots on Sheridan St. Turk knew of one on the east end of the street, and I knew of one on the west end. So, after downtown we stopped by both – a “life lot” for each – and saw the chat (MY chat!) again in the lot at the western end.

Glad I made it off the couch this morning!