Early this morning, about 5:50, I arrived at Finzel Swamp hoping to hear
migrating thrushes overhead. Aside from a couple of Veeries, I struck out on
the thrushes overhead. (I probably just need to work on that.) The real
highlights started with a hunting Whip-poor-will coursing over the shrub
peatland. Farther down the trail I was pleased to find a juvenile Sora
feeding along the edge of the main channel. After walking up and down the
trail for a while after sunrise, I noticed a male Kentucky Warbler
antagonizing a member of the myriad Cedar Waxwings atop a stunted red maple.
Then the waxwings returned the favor. Other highlights included a
(presumably) juvenile Purple Finch, several Cooper's Hawks being harrassed
by a group of crows, and a group of flyover Bobolinks. However, I was
frustrated by an Empidonax flycatcher which evaded a clear identification.
Here's what I saw: bold eye ring, "dirty" breast with darker yet faint
streaks on sides of breast, definite yellow wash on undertail coverts, 2
buffy-brownish wing bars.The observation left the impression of
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher but I'm not certain. I'd be glad hear what anyone
thinks about the observation. I've included a complete list below:
Location: Finzel Swamp
Observation date: 8/26/08
Number of species: 38
Wood Duck 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Cooper's Hawk 3
Sora 1
Whip-poor-will 1
Chimney Swift 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Alder Flycatcher 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Red-eyed Vireo 4
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Common Raven X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Veery 2
American Robin X
Gray Catbird X
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing X
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
American Redstart 1
Kentucky Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat X
Scarlet Tanager 1
Eastern Towhee X
Field Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow X
Swamp Sparrow X
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 6
Indigo Bunting 1
Bobolink X
Baltimore Oriole 1
Purple Finch 1
American Goldfinch 4
Good birding!
David
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David Yeany II
Graduate Assistant
207 Compton Science Center
Department of Biology
Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD 21532
Office: 301-687-7080 |