Chirps and Cheeps

Rush of Warblers at Tifft

Published: October 01, 2014
Tags: Parks and Preserves, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Palm Warbler, Ovenbird, Black-throated Green Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Black-crowned Night Heron, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Pileated Woodpecker

When I found a couple of new migrants in our woods this morning (White-throated Sparrows and a Black-throated Green Warbler), I thought it might be a good day to check out Tifft for more migrants.

Sure enough, this afternoon's walk through the preserve brought a very nice pocket of 8 different species of warblers, represented by several of each, except for the Ovenbird. One area was literally hopping with warblers, several in the same tree at a time - making it really tough to decide which bird to focus on! As it turned out, I think I got photos of most of them...

There were many White-throated Sparrows again, and 8 Black-crowned Night Herons. eBird wanted an explanation for so many! I double-checked my count and sure enough: 2 adults and 6 juveniles were out by Lisa Pond.

Earlier this morning, I saw that the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker I found in my yard yesterday had stayed the night. Oddly, he was still working the exact, same tree as yesterday. Very odd to me! As I was taking a few more photos of him this morning, a female Pileated loudly announced her presence by screaming her laughing call. I think she would have stayed and enjoyed the suet had I not been out in the yard.