The SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was present again this morning at Harriet Wieder Park. Like yesterday it was flycatching from the electric wires strung around the Thomas oil lease area below Overlook Drive. And like yesterday it was present for only a short time.

It was not present when I first arrived around 7am. By 8am I hadn't seen it so sauntered off. When I came back to the area at 8:45am I saw it flycatching from the electric wires and utility poles. It was distant but clearly identifiable as it moved all around the oil production area. A bit before 9:30am it flew up, headed up over the bluff, then east over the homes along Overlook, then veered southeast before I lost sight of it somewhere over Garfield x Edwards streets.

Given its appearance in the oil field yesterday at about 10am, this morning's brief appearance from 8:45-9:20, and its absence thereafter both days indicates it came from elsewhere to forage. 8-10am so far seems to be the magic window when it appears.

Bolsa Chica and Harriet receive a lot of coverage so I doubt it has been there all season and gone unnoticed. It is likely casually wandering through during the day so encounters may be hit-and-miss. Based on its direction of departure this morning my guess is it is wintering at the Seacliff golf course. Unfortunately that golf course is mostly surrounded by private homes inside gated communities so no way to ascertain if it is indeed there. The best bet is to keep checking the oil production area for its fleeting appearances.

Roger Schoedl
Huntington Beach