Stunning male Cape May Warbler found in the big spruce trees in front of the Mansion. -C. Scholtens
What a beautiful day to be outside. And there were birds around to be seen….but you really had to work at it as they were few and far between. We encountered 9 species of warblers: Blue-winged Warbler, Nashvlle Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Western Palm Warbler, Black & White Warbler, Common Yellowthroat. But the total number of warblers seen was only 40, about half of which were Yellow Warblers, a local nester. Perhaps the change in weather this afternoon and evening will make for more exciting birding/banding tomorrow. (Although the 72 species we came across today was pretty respectable. We just didn’t catch many of them.)
Barn Swallows taking a rest at the river edge. -S. Merritt
Banded 17:
1 Northern Flicker
1 Tree Swallow
1 Blue Jay
1 House Wren
1 Gray Catbird
1 Lincoln’s Sparrow
2 White-throated Sparrows
1 Red-winged Blackbird
8 American Goldfinches
ET’s: 72 spp.
Photo Gallery:
Yellow Violet. The forest has come alive with wildflowers. -S. Merritt
Brown Thrasher from yesterday. – J. Furber
Cape May Warbler. -C. Scholtens
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are making their presence felt around the site. -C. Scholtens
Yellow Warbler. -C. Scholtens
ASY male Nashville Warbler. -J. Furber
Western Palm Warbler. -J. Furber
Sharing a perch: Barn Swallow (left) and Tree Swallow. -S. Merritt
Bright ASY male Red-winged Blackbird. -S. Merritt
A Northern Flicker makes a real handful. -C. Scholtens
Rick