May 14, 2009
There was a large turnover of birds overnight in the hottest of Black Swamp
hotspots: the Magee Marsh boardwalk. Slow at first in the cold, wind and
rain, both birds and weather brightened simultaneously. The later of the
spring migrants were well represented today. There was a large influx of
dapper Canadas and wily Wilson’s. Most birder’s were satiated with
Mourning Warbler today, a drastic change from yesterday’s more frustrating
Oporornis experience. Redstart was the day’s most common warbler, their
orange or yellow tail spots brightening virtually every viny tangle in the
woods, while Yellow-rump numbers were conspicuously down. The season’s
first Connecticut Warbler proved elusive, much to the dismay of most
birders. It was seen twice, first heard and seen in the morning near the
east end of the boardwalk, then seen again around midday near #32.
While there has been a trickle of flycatchers in recent days, the first real
wave arrived today. While Least was still the most common Empidonax,
several silent ‘Traill’s’ and at least one Yellow-bellied were along
the boardwalk. An Olive-sided Flycatcher was uncommonly showy on the little
loop, while Eastern Wood-Pewee was present in small numbers.
Cuckoos were well represented. Multiples of both Black- and Yellow-billed
were present, if elusive. It was a matter of being in the right place at
the right time to catch up with these highly mobile migrants. The subtly
beautiful Philadelphia Vireo was surprisingly numerous in the woods today.
Both Eastern Screech- and Great Horned Owls continue to impress the crowds,
as does the occasionally showy—and occasionally stealthy—Sora. A pair
of Peregrines was seen, one half of which was watched catching a Common Tern
over the lake.
With continuing south winds, tomorrow promises to be another stellar day.
Who will be tomorrow’s star of the show?
Josh Engel
Tour Leader, Tropical Birding: www.tropicalbirding.com
Black Swamp Bird Observatory bird guide-in-residence: www.bsbobird.org
The Guiding Light blog: www.oxypogon.blogspot.com
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