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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