While Bird Rare To LI Has Taken Flight, Eager Fans Keep Arriving

FLANDERS, NY — Although a bird rare to the Northeast, whose sighting led to a flurry of onlookers flocking to Flanders for a glimpse, seems to have flown the coop, people are still heading to the feeder where, for a few days, he brought a bright spot of good news.

Meigan Madden Rocco, who saw the bird at her feeder last weekend and on that following Monday, said he may have only come for a short time, but the rare visitor sparked a sea of kindness that's brought a circle of birders together.

"I still have some people come by to watch the feeder, but they realize he has moved on, I guess — and they don't stay too long, waiting," she said.

Rocco said she is still receiving texts, calls, emails and messages daily asking to come see him.

"I gently let them know he has apparently moved on and as much as they are all disappointed they missed him, they are still incredibly thankful that we were willing to allow visitors to see him," she said.

When it first appeared he had flown the proverbial coop, hearts were heavy.

"We are kind of sad about it, to be honest," said Rocco.

"We loved watching him and seeing him every day — but if he has moved on to head home, we are happy and hope he arrives safely in time for breeding season!" she said.

Rocco said there were no sightings since last Monday, a little more than a week ago.

"I'm told that Monday night had perfect conditions for flight — and a lot of birds were moving that night," she said.

The colorful Lazuli Bunting, rarely seen in the Northeast, found its unlikely way to Flanders, drawing scores of awestruck ornithophiles who lined up near Rocco's bird feeder for a glimpse of the blue beauty.

Rocco said people came from as far as Buffalo; they began lining up at about 7 a.m.

"These are the most patient people I have ever met!" she said. "Some wait for over an hour to see him. Thankfully, he always makes an appearance! It's quite stressful hoping he shows up for everyone!"

The bird had been coming to her house for a few days, Rocco said. "I knew he was special, so I reached out to a friend who worked as a wildlife coordinator for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and sent her the photo. She said it looked like a Lazuli Bunting — but the location didn't make sense, since they are a species native to the West Coast and Mexico."

According to the Audubon Society, the birds, which have a sky blue bunting, are usually found in California, the Northwest, the Plains, Rocky Mountains, Southeast, Southwest, Texas, and Western Canada. The Cornell Lab said that they migrate at night to southeastern Arizona and Mexico.

"After checking with her former colleagues, they confirmed it was a Lazuli Bunting," she said.

The sighting was reported to the North American Rare Bird Alert database, Rocco said. "Everyone found out that way and started sending me messages, asking permission to come view the bird," Rocco said. "Apparently, it has only been seen in New York one other time, in 1998. So our little bird is a big deal."

Of the experience, she said: "It's pretty cool. We had visitors from Connecticut and upstate New York."

She laughed. "It's crazy! Our bird has paparazzi! He is so beautiful."

Around 550 people traveled to view and photograph the bird. "This will be only the second known sighting of one in New York — and he chose our feeder," Rocco said. "Visitors have quite literally broken down in tears, prayed, and sent thanks up. They're very kind people."

Many, Rocco said, are asking where they can send donations in exchange for a "once in a lifetime viewing experience. We are having donations directed to Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, and we hope it's a good day for them, too."

Rocco added: "These birds are native to the West Coast and Mexico — but this guy found his way to Flanders and is quite happy."

She added: "It was like TV — we were watching people watching the bird all day."

Rocco established a new email, lazulibuntingpics@gmail.com, and asked visitors to share photos.

On his last day at her house, Rocco said the feathered celebrity was not ready to give up his 15 minutes of fame — or his buffet at her feeder. "He was here, back and forth all day, every hour or so. More frequent in the morning," she said.

The rare bird brought a flock of onlookers from miles away. But all too soon, it seemed as though the brightly plumed visitor was but a memory. The bird may be gone but he will never be forgotten, she said.

Rocco said she's gotten more than 50 beautiful letters and emails of thanks from those who traveled far and wide to see the bird.

"We need more kindness in this world," she said. "This is the reason that we didn't think twice about sharing this beautiful bird with anyone who wishes to see him. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — and who are we to deny that to anyone? These are kind and grateful people — spread kindness! It makes us so happy that these people are so happy."