Chirps and Cheeps

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.