I’ve been noticing unusual groups of birds feeding on our neighborhood streets in the southeast part of St Paul. They congregate under overhanging elm trees. The trees are dropping seeds, but I don’t think the birds are eating the seeds. A group on Totem Road this morning included 5 Swainson’s (maybe grey-cheeked?) thrushes and a number of yellow-rumped warblers. Another group on Mystic St included a mourning warbler (male in full spring plumage), a yellowthroat, 2 Nashvilles, 4 Tennessees, a number of yellow-rumps and 2 chipping sparrows. I watched each group with binoculars from my car and I could not figure out what they were eating. They were not picking up the seeds. They were so busy pecking at the pavement that they didn’t move until the car was almost on them. Later, I examined the pavement and the seeds but couldn’t find any bugs or larvae. About half of the Mystic St group were still feeding in the same location in the evening, including the yellowthroat. I was not able to refind the mourning warbler. Anybody have any idea what they were eating?
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