Chirps and Cheeps

A Photo Journal of My Birding Adventures & Observations

My birding blog site


  Chestnut-sided at Tifft and Gray-cheeked at Point Gratoit

Published: May 29, 2013
Tags: Life List Happenings, Gray-cheeked Thrush, American Redstart, Bay-breasted Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Cedar Waxwing, Osprey, White-crowned Sparrow, Willow Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

An early morning walk through Tifft was a little more productive warbler-wise than it has been of late.  The weather system that came through was the cause of a little "fallout" of warblers and other migrants. We had nice looks at a Chestnut-sided Warbler, some high views of a Bay-breasted Warbler, and some fair views of a couple of Magnolia Warblers. We got more than one good view of both Red-eyed and Warbling Vireos too.

I had a very nice performance put on by an Osprey out front as he dove and fished around the main pond and a small group of Cedar Waxwings were along the path near Mosquito Junction. We had a fly-over as we were leaving by a larger group of a dozen or more. We saw a few lingering White-crowned Sparrows too.

Flycatchers were everywhere and we were able to ID a couple of Willows and an Eastern Wood-pewee. A couple escaped our scrutiny, flying off before we were sure - but later, some folks reported having seen 2 Yellow-bellied Flycatchers.  That species would be a life list bird for me and I hope to get that one soon!

During the dinner hour, I went down to Dunkirk where I was invited to bird Point Gratoit with Gale VerHague (Photos by November Gale). At that park, she, Nick Z, and I found a life bird (for me), a Gray-cheeked Thrush!  He gave us extended, great views.  Along with a few flycatchers (one which was a Yellow-bellied - a life list addition for me - thanks to Jim Pawlicki for help on the ID of this guy!), we also found several warblers, which included: my FOY Wilson's Warbler, several American Redstarts, a Magnolia, Chestnut-sided (this guy was very photogenic!), Tennessee, Nashville, Blackpoll, Yellow-rumped, Common Yellowthroat, and Yellow. Nick had seen a Prothonotary Warbler earlier that morning but we were unable to find it.

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Osprey

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Chestnut-sided Warbler (Tifft)

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Cedar Waxwing

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Cedar Waxwing

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Alder/Willow Flycatcher (thanks, Jim Pawlicki!)

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Willow Flycatcher

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American Redstart - a nesting female

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The redstart was watching us closely as we unknowingly came by her nest

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Another nesting female, a Yellow Warbler

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Holdin' up traffic!

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A Gray-cheeked Thrush - a life list addition!

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Gray-cheeked Thrush - it sang almost non-stop!

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Yellow-rumped Warbler

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Chestnut-sided Warbler

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Chestnut-sided Warbler

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Chestnut-sided Warbler

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Wilson's Warbler

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Wilson's Warbler

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Red-eyed Vireo

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Red-eyed Vireo

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Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (a lifer - thanks, Jim Pawlicki!)

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Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Reply from: Steve Taylor on 6/3/2013 7:27 PM
 Hi Sue, It was great meeting you today and sharing the joy of the Chat as a life bird for you. Your web-site is terrific and your photography is outstanding. I see that you are seeking Yellow Billed Cuckoo...did you happen to hear one calling to the north after we split up? As we discussed, I would be thrilled if you would be willing to share a Chat picture with me. We had outstanding views of a bird that is usually "invisible" and you captured fantastic images! Best wishes for good birding, Steve
Reply from: Sue on 6/4/2013 6:33 AM
 Thanks so much, Steve - and arrgghh! No, I didn't hear the cuckoo! I must go back now! LOL! It was great meeting you too - and thx for your assistance getting my eyes pointed in the right direction for the chat!


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