I had to leave from N.England at 7:30 am Sunday but managed to eek out a
5:30-7:30 walk in South Mtn. SP near Weverton Bluffs, Wash. Co. for
breakfst. Saturday they were not there, then Sunday - boom. Finally, lots
of new arrivals including (1st obs for year, caps) and all were concentrated
primarily near the ridgeline.
OVENBIRD - much more numerous than previous year
B&w WARBLER
BT GREEN WARBLER - finally...
PINE WARBLER
SOLITARY VIREO
Y.THROAT VIREO
WOOD THRUSH (throughout)
Notable were Towhees within canopy gaps from hurricane blowdown and even in
the stunted (30-40'tall) old-growth c.oak / b.birch boulderfields due the
more open, woodland conditions vs. the more typical tall canopy dominant
most places. One RS HAWK above the canopy.
There must've been 100's of Y-RUMPS - they were continuous above the
boulderfields for its entire length (1 1/2 miles). Not the first obs here
for this year, but not in this number yet. I imagined I heard magnolia /
wilsons among them so I sighted all birds in the group from 2 points for
about an hour and came up with only a single solitary vireo (and two female
cowbirds being chased by a male) among them.
Does anyone know if other warbs will mix with groups of y-rumps? I'd swear I
heard other songs, but with flock song, one can imagine a lot. |