Migration comes twice a year, but nothing is better than spring warbler migration! So we left the house at 7:30 AM and drove to East Rock Park (or Eli Whitney Museum).
Weather:
61 F. Sunny with some clouds.
Overview:
When we arrived at 8:00, there were already some birders birding before you enter the red bridge. Warbling Vireos were singing, Yellow-rumped, Chestnut-Sided, WILSON'S Warblers were in the smaller trees and a beautiful male American Redstart was near the river, also a Willow Flycatcher. After viewing those birds, someone spotted a Blackburnian Warbler across the river! We all walked through the red covered bridge and went to the Blackburnian area, but I didn't spot it. It flew down into the lower branches so I decided to walk back to the other side of the river, and then in one of the big trees, I spotted the BAY-BREASTED WARBLER!! First lifer of the day! We continued to walk past the covered bridge to the first trail on the right and came across a group of birders. I saw some more Yellow-rumped Warblers, Common Yellowthroats, Magnolia Warblers,and a Red-eyed Vireo. I continued on the trail and I heard a Baltimore Oriole. Over my head I heard a warbler, it was the male Blackburnian Warbler! So I told everyone, then one of the folks found a second male Blackburnian! This warbler gave me good photo opportunities. I found a Canada Warbler and as I continued saw a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak that flew on a branch over the water. We walked to the red metal bridge, where I spotted a Spotted Sandpiper. Further on I got my lifers a Hooded Warbler and a Tennessee Warbler! Also saw: Black-throated Blue Warbler, Northern Parula, Swainson's Thrush, and Acadian Flycatcher. Back at the entrance, I spotted some more Warbling Vireos singing. I started talking to one of the birders, we talked about cameras and well, birding. Before you enter the red covered bridge an American Redstart was just 2 feet away! It almost hit my head one time! Then I found a singing male Chestnut-sided Warbler and a PHILADELPHIA VIREO! The Philadelphia Vireo is similar to a Red-eyed Vireo but a bit smaller, duller red eye, and more yellow wash on the stomach.
So that wraps up the blog post for today! Check out my photos below!
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| Scarlet Tanager |
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| Warbling Vireo |
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| Male American Redstart |
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| Redstart Photo #2 |
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| #3 |
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| Wilson's Warbler |
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| Black-and-white Warbler |
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| Common Yellowthroat |
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| Magnolia Warbler |
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| Baby Wood Ducks |
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| More babies |
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| Male Blackburnian Warbler |
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| Blackburnian Warbler singing |
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| Mallards |
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| Rose-breasted Grosbeak |
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| Female Common Yellowthroat |
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| Black-throated Blue Warbler |
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| Dropping down! |
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| Least Flycatcher! |
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| Very photogenic! |
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| The waterfall |
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| Female American Redstart |
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| What you looking at? LOL. |
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| Blackburnian Warbler. My favorite shot of the day! |
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Chestnut-sided Warbler
Well overall it was a great day! I tallied 57 species. |
