The past two mornings have been busy with numbers and variety of
warblers along Minnehaha Creek in Minneapolis (east of L. Hiawatha).
Yesterday 9 species:
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 2
American Redstart
Common Yellowthroat 1
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler 1
Today 12 species (and not all the same as yesterday):
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 2
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler 2
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Blackpoll Warbler 2
American Redstart
Common Yellowthroat 1
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler 5
I was out mid-morning, as it warmed up enough for the swarms of gnats.
At one point I just stood near the shrubbery (in dark clothing), for
nearly an hour, while the warblers hopped and fed within a few feet of
me. I could hardly use binoculars for many of them they were so close.
It was one of my more memorable warbler experiences along the creek.
Most abundant of course were Nashville, Tennessee, American Redstart,
and Wilson's. But Canada Warblers and Chestnust-sideds were also in
good numbers.
The birds seem to like the overgrown areas near the pedestrian
bridges, where there are many layers of vegetation, from thick scrub
down low along the water's edge to tall deciduous tree-tops. Probably
more feeding diversity and opportunities.
Although I also saw many group of chickadees, both big mixed warbler
flocks were associating more with the goldfinch flocks that frequent
the area than with the chickadees.
Also seen: a yellow-bellied flycatcher in one of the mixed flocks and
a sharp-shinned hawk hiding in a brushy area, agitating a group of
redstarts.
Diana Doyle
S. Minneapolis
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