Patient persistence was finally rewarded with an afternoon appearance by the Prothonotary Warblers, in the backwaters of Crosby Park next to the 35 E bridge. Along the path that follows the stream, and rounding its curve before the river, two voices could be heard doing a short contact call; not the loud, strident note of the territorial call, but a more muted one, easier to miss. Since the birds nested on the inland side of the island in previous years, and because this section has a snag in the water that is very much like the one that was destroyed by floods, it seemed worthwhile to check out the various cavity holes it offered. Just then, the warbler made a trip to the snag. Perched right below one of the cavities, it peered cautiously around before putting itself half-way in the hole. It spent a few seconds about its business, then peered cautiously around again, before taking off around the back of the island. As if that were not reward enough, there followed a very entertaining territorial battle by at least 4 Indigo Buntings singing a "Ballad of the Blues." Linda Whyte
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