NJ life bird
quiltbird@annapolis.net
Fri, 30 Apr 1999 12:58:22 -0400
Hello All,
While accompanying my husband on a business trip to Moorestown, NJ I had a
little time on my hands, sooooo I went birding. I went to the
Powhattan-Lenape Reservation near Rancocas. After walking the nature
trail, or that part of it that I could find, I was thinking to myself--this
isn't all that "birdy" despite decent looking habitat.
I was along a marshy stream with lots of brushy stuff along the edges and
in the water, pickerelweed emerging from the mud. A few ordinary things
turned up--blue-gray gnatcatcher, red-wing, catbird, yellowlegs, but no
warblers. Then a movement ina small tree near the water caught my eye.
Binoculars on it showed a small bird, dark above and light below. The top
of the head darker than the back. Light was not the best, but my best
description of the colors would be very dark brown for the crown and a
lighter brown for the back--a cool brown, not a reddish one. There was a
very distinct light supercillium, a dark eye and a dark line below the eye.
No wing bars. Unable to see leg colors. The beak had immediately caught
my attention as it was particularly long in proportion to the bird and
quite slim and pointed. Before noting the beak (bird very kindly turned
its head back and forth for me, giving good view of beak) i was thinking
about vireos--but this was not a vireo. My conclusion--Swainson's warbler.
A life bird!
I cannot tell you if it was calling. I didn't see any mouth movement, but
I am unable to hear any other warblers, so probably can't hear this one
either.
Was using Canon 12x, image stabilized binolculars. That extra
magnification sure is great for these little guys.
I hunted up a Wild Bird Center so I could find someone to tell! This is
news to be shared! they were calling NJ Audubon when I left the store.
Turns out their property adjoins the area that I was birding.
Good birding!
Linda Baker