European vagrant in Asbury, NJ- 1/10/12.
Photo'd through binocular barrel. While visiting my parent's in Allentown PA, I learned of some very rare birds in the vicinity.The rarest is the Common Chaffinch, a common European bird with damn few North American records. A 45 minute drive at 6 am through insane highway truck traffic took me to western New Jersey and into some kind birders back yard. 30+ people crowded on to the back patio waiting for the Common Chaffinch to fly to the bird feeders for breakfast. At 7:47 IT DID! for whole 45 seconds it was in view, then vanished. Another 20 very cold minutes later, it returned for 90 seconds. Click, click went the cameras, then poof. Gone with the wind. I waited til 9:15 when I was barely able to hold steady my binoculars then I left: I reckon 2 hours for 2 minutes was a worthwhile effort. I actually did get a photo with my point and shoot camera held up to my binocular barrel.