I had a great warbler day at Highbanks. All the warblers were seen over a 4 hour period on the first 100 yards of the Pet trail, east of the Nature Center.  At 7:30 a.m., I saw a Magnolia, then a Wilson's, and then a Mourning Warbler--in the same hawthorn.  The Mourning was a lifer for me.  I also saw a Nashville during this early morning  period.  Thanks to Jason, who told me yesterday that he had seen the Mourning on Monday.

I walked further back on the pet trail--to no avail--and then walked around the river area at the Big Meadows end of the park.  Interestng birds but the only warblers were a Tennesee and a chestnut-sided.  And I think I heard a No. Parula.

I tried the Pet trail again about 10:30 am, and much to my surprise saw a Bay breasted, a Blackburnian, and a black throated blue.  I was still watching the blackburnian, when a sudden burst of additional warblers appeared, including a Black-throated green, a male redstart (all of these birds appeared to be male), magnolia again, blackburnian, chestnut-sided--and I think a Canada.  I first thought Kentucky, but this bird had a band of markings across its breast-- Finally, and maybe this is the delusional part--I saw a bird with a yellow breast, blue-gray back, some black stripe markings along the chest--and a split eye-ring.  I noticed that field mark especially.  In studying the field guides at the Nature center--and remembering my trip to Grayling last June...I was thinking Kirtlands.  I saw it only briefly, and I note that the books say to think female or immature Magnolia--which there surely was a Magnolia there--but the one I saw was male.  I realize the likelihood of my split eye-ring bird being a Kirtland's is remote....but I throw it out there.

I returned to the path after the study period--around noon--to silence except feuding cardinals and bluejays--and then one Nashville.  So, it was a wave--and then gone.  But still a notable morning of birding.

Dale Brubeck

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