Re: Bluebirds/Pine Warblers

MHoff36100@aol.com
Sat, 26 Sep 1998 12:58:23 EDT


Tom --

Eastern Bluebirds and Pine Warbler frequently form mixed foraging flocks,
particularly in fall/winter/spring. This is a common sight on the Eastern
Shore, and to a much lesser extent on the western shore. Usually these birds
forage over harvested corn fields, etc., feeding both on the ground and
hawking insects from corn stubble. Both must find insects in these areas.
Perhaps more frequent (than Pine Warbler) in this association are Chipping
Sparrows, and mixed bluebird-pine warble-chipping sparrow flocks are the norm.
I frequently find these in Worcester County on CBCs or later into the winter.
At times Palm Warblers also join this association, but they are by far the
less common species. 

Mark Hoffman
Sykesville, MD
Mhoff36100@aol.com 



In a message dated 9/25/98 4:59:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time, THBeal@aol.com
writes:

>   I was on the North Tract of the PRR this AM about 0830 at the Wildlife
>  Viewing Area and observed a flock of about 20 Bluebirds, associated with 
> these
>  were up to 8 Pine Warblers.  They moved from tree to tree with the
Bluebirds
>  and even feed at the edge of the gravel road with them for the time I was
>  there (about 30 min).  Then about a hour later I saw a smaller flock of
>  Bluebirds at Lake Allen with 3 Pine Warblers mixed in.  Has anyone seen
this
>  behavior before or is it just coincidence?