As a follow-up, I noticed on eBird, after I wrote the original note, that two more Brewster's have been found in the east--both yesterday--one near Annapolis and the other in New Jersey. So...keep an eye out!
The NJ bird was posted on eBird same day as the report--and the person didn't have any explanatory notes for the bird, which I find interesting. Wouldn't that be required of someone seeing a Brewster's in NJ, even if the person is a reviewer? I feel compelled to write little "essays" at times as a form of application for acceptance, even when something is as simple, comparatively, as a Brewster's. Big yellow wing bars (and the whole bird seen well) = case closed. Nothing else comes close. I guess it's a little frustrating to see how different communities seem to have different thresholds--or else reviewers are more busy some places than others. I'm also wondering about a trend: I'm wondering when birders will feel compelled to have a camera with them, when it reaches the point that only photo evidence will be accepted, with maybe a few exceptions. Moreover, if we need to be concerned about "stepping up our game" for eBird high counts, what does that bode for the requirements, in the absence of photo evidence, for written comments regarding rarities? I guess there are no easy answers to these questions. For myself, eBird, at times, seems more work than pleasure--although I can't see dropping it; it's usually fun, and it gets me more engaged with the hobby I love.
Tim Houghton
(Glen Arm)
________________________________
From: <mdbirding...> [<mdbirding...>] on behalf of Timothy Houghton [<thoughton...>]
Sent: Friday, May 10, 2013 3:08 PM
To: <mdbirding...>
Subject: [MDBirding] check out Blue-Winged Warbler songs
I've been thinking that maybe their are more Golden-Winged Warblers and GW/Blue-Winged hybrids in eastern MD than one might think. Three years ago, two GWs were found on the same day at Susquehanna (tho possibly the same bird). Yesterday I found a Brewster's type and some else reported a possible Golden-Winged. (Plus, numbers of BW are around now.)
If you hear a blue-winged song, maybe try to see the bird and don't assume it actually is a blue-winged, although it 95% probably is. A hybrid may sing a blue-winged song. Furthermore, the 2nd song of the blue-winged is similar to the 2nd song of the golden-winged. Lots is going on with warbler migration right now, and this is the time to check for these really cool unusual birds.
Tim Houghton
(Glen Arm)
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