The recent appearance of not one, but TWO unusual rare birds in the county have really got me pumped! First, the gorgeous Snowy Owl wowed us all, and even made the Journal News! As if that were not enough excitement, I learned just a few days ago about the Ivory Gull, also spotted in Piermont. I thought this made for a phenomenal year, but when I relayed this to a coworker, I was told, “You bird watchers are easily amused, huh?”

Once the euphoria subsided, I started to wonder if maybe this is some kind of harbinger of things to come. Is this just a wonderful coincidence, or is this related to something bigger, like Global Warming? I have noticed several anomalies in the normal wildlife patterns and behavior of the Mothering Heights denizens. For instance, there was a herd of 9 male deer that passed through during a time of year that they should have been rutting, not hanging out together snacking and drinking “Buckweisers”.

And then there was the skunk. It was the first one I had actually seen up here, and not just smelled. I’ve noticed the wildlife is become bolder, and unafraid of being close to the house. My resident Red Tail Hawk swooped so close to me last month while I was sitting on the patio, that I could feel the wind from its wings.

But, back to the rare bird… Are the unusual visitors at the Pier a result of a shift in the food chain, or just some unscrupulous avian travel agent? (“Discount vacations now available at the newest resort town in the beautiful Lower Hudson Valley! Close to gourmet fishing and local nightlife! Book now before this well kept secret is out!”)

Maybe increased sightings are a not-so-unpleasant byproduct of climatic change. And, while I don’t mind schlepping to the Hudson, I’ve been extra vigilant here at home, hoping something unexpected and beautiful would show up on the Heights. Just yesterday, my wish came true! I am pleased to announce that I have spotted the rarest of all birds…

The blue capped phone repairman.