Yesterday we took a few hours to do our exercise/bird walk in Whitewater SP, a favorite place there's been little time or energy to visit this year. We chose Trout Run Creek trail because its length was suitable and it's relaxing, with or without scads of birds and wildflowers. However, the postings of Louisiana Water-thrush and Yellow-throated Warbler from prior days, did induce us to spend a bit of time checking for those species.
A mere snippet of sound was all we got from the Waterthrush. The first pass through the Nature Center parking lot yielded nothing of the Warbler, as well. Upon inquiry, we were told by staff that the Warbler had been seen once across the road, but also that someone had been studying something intently in the picnic area next to the Center that morning. We checked both places to no avail, and as it was late and beginning to rain more in earnest, started for the car. It was then that a warbler-sized bird in the conifer high overhead, drew my attention by its vigorous, under-branch, food-gleaning and constant movement. All that was visible was gray-white underbelly against gray-white clouds, with wet binoculars, though I was looking for black mask and yellow throat. Then it became apparent that the bird was feeding one or more begging young. Not having read or heard that the Warbler may have had a breeding partner, I foolishly dismissed the possibility that this was our sought Yellow-throat, and quit trying for a view of face and throat. But after scrambling into the car, I did get a full look at one of the fledglings that followed its parent in our direction. It was not one I recognized. At home, Malcolm Gold's posted message and photos provided the epiphany, sending me to the guide-books. What I saw, matched photos and renditions of the Yellow-throated Warbler (I'd only seen an adult, and only once, several years ago, with better looks). Had I been less dismissive and more persistent, I might have known what I was seeing! Still, having seen the youngster was special in itself. Here's a thank-you to Malcom and all who posted-- not least of all for a lesson in the value of forebearance and patience in pursuit of a bird identification. Linda Whyte ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
