Saturday, May 16, 2020

East Rock Park 5/16/2020

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!

Scarlet Tanager 

Warbling Vireo

Male American Redstart

Redstart Photo #2

#3

Wilson's Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Magnolia Warbler

Baby Wood Ducks

More babies

Male Blackburnian Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler singing


Mallards

Rose-breasted Grosbeak 

Female Common Yellowthroat

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Dropping down!

Least Flycatcher!

Very photogenic!

The waterfall

Female American Redstart

What you looking at? LOL.
Blackburnian Warbler. My favorite shot of the day!

Chestnut-sided Warbler


Well overall it was a great day! I tallied 57 species. 
  

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