Date: Mon, 14 May 2001 05:03:54 -0700 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: linda vogel Subject: Swainson's Warbler question MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Hello Birders, Linda and I recently returned from a weeklong trip to western North Carolina. While there, we were fortunate to have great views of many birds, but one left us a little puzzled. While on a walk deep in a mixed pine/hardwood/rhododendron woods, we caught a quick look at a Swainson's Warbler. The location was the ideal "rare and local in mountain rhododendron thickets." - No problem. The next mourning we went to the local park (a mere 9,000+ acres) for a walk. We first birded the parking lot and found a Swainson's Warbler singing 25 feet up in the top of a young oak. This bird stayed in view for ~3 minutes. About 15 minutes into our trail hike, we saw a third Swainson's Warbler, and this one was singing in a maple, between 25 ft. and 60 ft. This bird was in view for ~ 4 minutes. On our return hike we saw, presumably, the same bird singing from another maple. This time we watched, and listened, until our arms gave out. Although the Swainson's Warbler is reportedly secretive and we hoped to see a one in the moist rhododendron thickets, we never expected to see them displayed so prominently in young deciduous woods or a parking lot. a. Has any one had a similar experience? b. Is the Swainson's Warbler really as "secretive" as guides indicate? Van Vogel Cecil Bird Club Vogels86@yahoo.com P.S. We acquired a copy of Marcus Simpson's " Birds of the Blue Ridge Mountains" and found it very useful. Also, if you would like more information concerning birding in western N.C. and adjacent states, feel free to contact me a the above email address. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Auctions - buy the things you want at great prices http://auctions.yahoo.com/ ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================