This rare bird report is being sent to the Presqu’ile Park office for their records. Unfortunately, several experienced birders could not re-locate the bird ten minutes after it was seen, or since then.
Species: Yellow-throated Warbler Number: 1 Age: adult Sex: unknown, probably male Date: May 3, 2014 Time first seen: 12:10 Time last seen: 12:10 Exact location: about 600 metres along Paxton Drive from the lighthouse parking lot, where the road first begins to take a bend; sitting in a leafless deciduous tree directly over the road. Weather and lighting conditions: Overcast; about 8 degrees Celcius; little wind; good visibility Optical Equipment Used: 7 x 42 Zeiss Dialyt binoculars Distance Viewed From: 10-15 metres Were photographs taken? no Observer’s Name: Fred Helleiner; address: 186 Bayshore Road, Brighton, Ontario, K0K 1H0 First seen by: Fred Helleiner Other Observers: none Describe the circumstances of how the bird was discovered: I saw a movement of a warbler-sized bird in the tree and put my binoculars on it and immediately recognized it as a Yellow-throated Warbler, but proceeded at once to rule out female Blackburnian Warbler. I watched it for perhaps 20 seconds before taking my eyes off it in order to telephone others, and could not see it after that. Describe what the bird was doing during the period of observation: It moved a little on the same branch and could be seen singing at least once, but could scarcely be heard because of my acute hearing loss when it comes to most warblers. Description: size and shape of warbler; overall black, white and grey on the back; bright yellow throat not extending upward or sideways; prominent black and white facial markings, with no apparent yellow on the lores; black streaking down the sides. State the similar species you considered and how they were eliminated as not being the species reported: Blackburnian Warbler was the only other species considered. There was no hint of any colour except black and white on the face, where I would have expected some orangey yellow on the face of the Blackburnian Warbler female. The streaking on the sides was more prominent than I would have expected on a Blackburnian Warbler. State your previous experience with this species: I have seen no more than half a dozen, all in Ontario, including the only other Presqu’ile sighting. Two of the birds that I have seen were at feeders in December. Date and Time Report was Written: May 3, 2014, 5:00-5:30 p.m. Report Prepared By: Fred Helleiner 186 Bayshore Road Brighton, Ontario K0K 1H0 613-475-5309 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
