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 |