Free Andi Unstoppable by Amanda Flower Page A

warblers. We’ve seen countless warblers there.” He sighed. “But never a Kirtland’s, which is why we’re here.”
    I could no longer hear the group ahead moving through the forest. They must have gotten a long way ahead of us now. I wanted to hear what the triplets had to say, but they were going to have to speed it up if we had any hope of catching up with the others. “But Claudette thought she saw one there?”
    â€œRight.” A triplet nodded. “I remember, it was at Magee, and there were almost a thousand birders, diehards and novices, there. Claudette called out that she saw a Kirtland’s warbler, and of course, everyone rushed over to see.” He shook his head. “But it was evident to at least one expert that it was a misidentification. You see, warblers are difficult to identify at times because there are so many hybrids. If a warbler can’t find a mate of its exact species it will . . .” He blushed. “Well, in any case, the expert said it was most definitely a hybrid. He suspected that the most prominent species in it was a Nashville warbler. The size of the bird was the first tip-off to the mistake. Even though Kirtland’s are hard to spot, they are larger than most warblers. They are about six inches. Most warblers are four and three quarters. This bird was smaller than a Kirtland’s.”
    â€œWere you there?”
    They nodded in unison.
    â€œWe were,” one of the brother’s replied. “It was a thrilling, if eventually disappointing, event.”
    â€œWhen was this?” I asked.
    He sucked on teeth. “I would say near about fifteen years ago.”
    My mouth fell open. “Fifteen years ago and people are still talking about it?”
    â€œThe birder community, the elite birding community, is small, and they remember. If they weren’t at the misidentification themselves, they heard the story from another. But, of course, by now, all is forgiven. Claudette has seen so many birds in so many places in the world that the community respects her. She’s a bit of a celebrity really.” He lowered his voice. “Just between you, me, and my brothers here, I think she hasn’t forgiven herself, so she is on this quest to see a Kirtland’s.”
    â€œOh, I think you are right,” another triplet said.
    â€œVery well said, Jack,” the third agreed, and at least now I knew which one was Jack.
    â€œYou said everyone has forgiven Claudette now, but what happened right after the misidentification?” I asked.
    Jack shook his head. “She was disgraced in the birder community. It took her years to rebuild her reputation as a top birder.”
    â€œShe’s been all over the world to prove it,” another brother said.
    â€œIt must have cost her a fortune with all the travel costs,” the third triplet agreed. “But she did it. She’s dedicated her entire life to it.”
    His comment reminded me of the argument I had overheard between Claudette and Bergita about money.
    â€œWho was the birder who proved her wrong?” I asked, even though I already knew. It could only be one person.
    â€œGregory,” he said.
    A bird song floated toward us.
    â€œOh!” Jack cried. “That’s a palm warbler. We don’t want to miss that. Come on, boys!” The triplets sprinted down the path with their daypacks bouncing on their backs the entire way. They could move pretty fast for three pudgy guys.
    I didn’t want to miss the palm warbler either so I followed them. I just made the turn in the bend of the road when Colin came running toward me. He was breathing hard. “Andi,” Colin said breathless. “What are you doing? We thought you wandered off the trail. Bergita and I have been looking for you.”
    â€œColin, take a breath,” I ordered. “Do you need to take a couple puffs of your inhaler? If you have an asthma attack because you