I have observed the "playing" behavior many times as solo, intraspecies and interspecies behavior. Always with a feather and usually before nesting. It's purpose is anyone's guess although they seem to enjoy the sport of it.
Also, on your comment about worm eating warblers in Carroll County, I cannot document regular WEWA nesting in Harrison. I believe we have an occasional unmated male. Our hills do not appear to be high enough, steep enough, dry enough or rocky enough or some combination of the preceding to hold them here. Not found on either BBA. The Flushing Escarpment is close enough to our eastern border that the hills do not get steep until in Jefferson County.
Only bird of note I have seen recently was a snipe I flushed off of a nest. Checked on it 4 weeks later and eggs were gone. Presumably a successful nesting although predation is certainly possible.
Scott Pendleton

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