I left home about 5:00 AM just north of the Mason Dixon line, stopped at the Littlestown Sheetz for coffee and a donut and then drove the few miles south to Union Mills and the wetland. The idea was to hear and not so much see the wetland spring to life on this somewhat chilly morning. I arrived to a symphony of sounds that at first was a bit confusing as to who, what and where it was all coming from. At nautical twilight the wetland was "alive".
Turning off route 97 onto Brown road I made a bee-line for the wet areas. The first familiar notes was the guttural tune of a Least Bittern off in the distance. I never laid eyes on the bird and his calls stopped no more than 10 minutes after I arrived. Other tunes included what I feel was a pair of Sora Rails also sight unseen. The air was full of Mallards with a lone hen performing a "come-back" the big pond as a few silent ones patrolled the cattails near the road. Canada Geese were present with their cackling banter as usual. I one lone swan fly over in the shadows species unknown but It could have been a Tundra.
As the sun reached the horizon, the songs of Yellow Warblers and Prairie warblers were ever so present. Swamp Sparrows were everywhere but only one was singing as the rest lurked in the reeds. Common Yellow-throats were joining in harmony! Of course the regulars such as the Red-winged Blackbirds and starlings were there as well. I heard one warbler that I could not identify. It was a variation of song that I had not heard before.
I left after abut 45 minutes and proceeded to Babylon Road where on the mile or so of gravel I was met with more tunes of the Yellow Warbler. I observed at least three pairs along the grass and brush-lands between Mayberry Road and the large wood lot. I photographed a pair as well!
It was a lovely way to spend the early morning hours before I headed to central PA for the wildflowers.
Jim
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