At about 9 AM on Friday, I returned to Sapsucker Woods and met up with Miyoko Chu, Pat Leonard, Gus Axelson, Greg Delisle, and Betsy Hutchings on the trail. The Wilson Trail had only a fraction of the activity that Anne and I witnessed earlier, but our late group did see a nice assortment of male warblers, including WILSON'S, MAGNOLIA, BLACK-THROATED GREEN, CHESTNUT-SIDED and BLACKBURNIAN, plus an adult male ORCHARD ORIOLE (in the flowering tree by the footbridge over the outlet stream - somehow the first adult of this species I've ever seen in Sapsucker Woods). I also saw a SWAINSON'S THRUSH just north of the Sherwood Platform.
Toward the end of our circuit, Scott Haber arrived and told us that Kevin McGowan had found a female GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER at the Podell Boardwalk, then saw it fly south. I parted with Miyoko and the others, then went looking for this bird. I didn't find it. (Jay McGowan also searched for a while in vain.) My consolation prize was another fine mixed flock of warblers along the Woodleton Boardwalk, including a splendid male BAY-BREASTED WARBLER at eye level in a hemlock three meters away, at least four male BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS, and both male and female NORTHERN PARULA. The total warbler species tally so far today for Sapsucker Woods is 22, to my knowledge. Here is the list with some numbers and credits. Tennessee (Laurie Ray, Jay, Brad, and Livia) Nashville Blue-winged (Laurie) GOLDEN-WINGED (Kevin) Chestnut-sided 7+ Northern Parula 6+ Yellow Palm (3+ for me, I believe many more for others) Cape May (1 for me, several for others) Magnolia 9+ Yellow-rumped 60+ Black-throated Green 11+ Blackburnian 11+ (about 10 males throughout, plus one female in the Woodleton flock) Bay-breasted (1+ for me, I think a few for Jay, Brad, and Livia) Black-throated Blue (5+, all males) Black-and-white 5+ (3+ singing, plus two females) American Redstart 6+ Northern Waterthrush 5+ (one apparent migrant near Sherwood Platform, others likely breeders along Woodleton) Common Yellowthroat 3+ Ovenbird 4+ Wilson's (1 for me and others; Dave LoParco saw two) Canada (1+ singing at bend in Wilson Trail North, past second footbridge; seen briefly by me, but mostly uncooperative for viewing) Jay, Brad, and Livia also saw a couple of PHILADELPHIA VIREOS, six male Scarlet Tanagers together near the ground plus one female who permitted Jay to approach within an arm's length, and surely other amazing sights. I suspect that most of these birds are still around in the sanctuary, but in the quiet heat of day, finding them will require luck and fast movement to maximize coverage. I would advise that if it seems quiet, keep moving until you find a concentration of birds. Mark Chao PS. Sorry for the misplaced parentheses in my earlier message. I was a little tired, rushed, and overstimulated. --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
