Well, even we birders have to learn to eat humble pie on occasion. The white-phase Gyrfalcon that was first reported at the Lebanon Airport last evening and then resighted today turned out to be... a leucistic Red-tailed Hawk. About a dozen seasoned birders, including yours truly, watched the bird at a distance of 250 yards or more, some of us for over an hour, and convinced ourselves it was indeed a Gyrfalcon. The bird was virtually pure white, with just a dark smudge on its hindneck, a few flecks on the chest, and some dark coloration visible in the folded primaries. Then, at ~2:30 pm, it took off from its perch, flew high above the airport, soaring in large circles on broad wings, and clearly showed its... red tail. A few of us had seen the bird fly briefly from perch to perch earlier and remarked on its Buteo-like wing shape and slow, flapping flight, BUT the power of suggestion is strong and no one seriously questioned the ID (at least not out loud).

Thankfully, everyone had a good laugh, and no one took the whole affair too seriously. But, for anyone who might have been contemplating a late-day run over the Lebanon Airport, don't go if your heart is set on finding a Gryfalcon!

Chris

________________________

Chris Rimmer
Vermont Center for Ecostudies
PO Box 420 | Norwich, Vermont 05055
802.649.1431 x1
http://vtecostudies.org/

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