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Subject:

Cape May, other arrivals in yard

From:

Fred Fallon

Reply-To:

Fred Fallon

Date:

Sat, 2 May 2009 16:55:16 -0400

Confined as I was to the yard this prime migration date, awaiting 
service personnel, I made the best of it by watching carefully (along 
with Jane before she had to leave) around the house early this am. We 
were not disappointed. Best of all was a stunning male Cape May Warbler 
in high breeding plumage complete with russet ear patch. He posed for a 
second, then flew off, causing me to ponder the extravagance of Nature. 
In the course of evolution’s blind, random change and adaptation, was 
something like a Cape May Warbler really necessary? Or does  Mother 
Nature sometimes gratuitously reward us with a treat? Or is it we humans 
have evolved a capacity for marvel at the natural world, which is 
actually indifferent to us?

A partial list of the day’s 35 species includes

Green Heron
Red-B Wdpkr
Downy Wdpkr
Hairy Wdpkr
Pileated Wdpkr
Chimney Swift (hoping I get around to removing the chimney cap)
R-t H’bird with pure black throat (as seen from a range of angles - but, 
still)
Crested F’catcher
White-eyed Vir
Red-eyed Vir
E Bluebird
Wood Thrush
G Catbird
Black & white W
Blackpoll W
Parula
CAPE MAY W
Ovenbird
HOODED W
E Towhee - 2
Indigo Bunting (most unusual for yard)
Pine Siskin -1 left of the winter-long 25
Goldfinch - also in reduced numbers

I can only suppose reports from real birding sites will show this was a 
super drop-out day.

Fred Fallon
Huntingtown