On Mother's Day Sunday, my Dad and I went out to Sapsucker Woods for a
mid-morning "warbler run." I was not expecting much today, for I was told
Sapsucker Woods has had fewer songbirds around for the first few spring
weeks. As we arrived at Sapsucker Woods, we were greeted by a couple of
male and female BALTIMORE ORIOLES, and about 3 BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS. We
continued our walk on Wilson Trail North, and spotted a
BLACK-AND-WHITE-WARBLER and a YELLOW WARBLER on the Sherwood Platform. We
also spotted the renowned GREAT BLUE HERONS hunting in the pond. When our
Sapsucker Woods trip ended, we had tallied up a ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK,
SCARLET TANAGER (possibility -- unusual short song), NORTHERN PARULA,
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, and a RED-EYED VIREO for the
day.
Later in the day, we continued our endeavor at the Newman Golf Course
where we ran into Dave Nutter and France Dewaghe. We were hoping to see the
Yellow-throated Warbler, though we inevitably failed at finding the bird
for it was 3:30 in the afternoon. After this, we took a trip to Valentino
Field at Tutelo Park, adjacent to the Bus Depot on Bostwick Road for some
batting practice. On the spur of the moment, we decided after "BP" to take
a short walk on the Tutelo Park Trail. As we entered, we heard multiple
calls that we thought wrongly to be Northern Parulas. We were greeted by a
very large flock of PINE SISKINS (very late for them) which we flushed out
of their concealing bushes. We estimated about 15 siskins, but sadly did
not receive the coveted eBird confirm prompt. Continuing our walk, we were
amazed at the sheer density of the songbirds in our surroundings (multiple
WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES and
GRAY CATBIRDS.)
WE also got a wonderful look at a rusty brown VEERY for a nice, long time.
:)
By the time we finished birding, it was almost time for dinner! Not
wanting to bail out on cooking dinner on Mother's Day, we quickly rushed
home.
Today, I was pleased with the outcome of our trips. Though I am
still told there will be many more songbirds to come, I was still satisfied
with good looks of orioles, a Black-and-white Warbler, and a Veery.
Good Birding,
Tilden Chao
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*-Tilden*
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