May 13, 1995
7 to 11 a.m.

I was up at 7 a.m. today for a solitary birding trip where I spent four hours working on patience. Much of my time was spent at one of three or four spots, just sitting still for 30 – 45 minutes, watching the birds go about their business. This was an amazing day with a LOT of lifers for me!

My first birds of the day were a pair of Wood Duck that I startled during their early morning activities when I went to the edge of the creek via the small path near the on-street parking area. I imagine I was the first person through there that day, because I’d never seen woodies in the park before – maybe they’d already been scared away before I’d arrived on other days. Another early sighting was a Black-and-white Warbler, seen along the main path along the creek. I thought I heard the song, then sighted the bird. Sure enough, it was a B&W and he sang for me while I watched. Very nice. I also saw a gorgeous Scarlet Tanager.

This was a good day for thrushes. I heard lots of Wood Thrush singing their beautiful song in the woods in the early morning, and was able to spot one later in the day. I saw a Veery by the bridge, a bird which I’ve heard sing before, but this is the first time I’ve had a good look at one. While sitting quietly by the creek, I studied a Swainson’s Thrush for several minutes before deciding on ID, based in part upon the buffy-colored throat. American Robin were seen, and I also have Louisiana Waterthrush listed in my notes, although for some reason I didn’t write down any additional details.

I heard the distinctive song of a Red-eyed Vireo, and then – amazingly! – spotted the bird in a tree about the creek. I also heard a Great Crested Flycatcher call, and searched around for the bird. Suddenly, there it was, very close for a wonderful sighting! Although I’d heard these birds on several previous occasions, this was the first one I’ve seen. A cooperative Acadian Flycatcher that gave its call note repeatedly, which helped me ID one of the difficult little empids. A very cute bird! I saw a Sharp-shinned Hawk over the meadow, obviously small enough for me to make the ID.

The real stars of the day, however, were the wood warblers. So many new species (and familiar one as well). I had a brief look at a Connecticut Warbler, just long enough to see the gray hood and eye ring. A Chestnut-sided Warbler was spotted near the creek, as were Yellow-throated Warbler, American Redstart, Bay-breasted Warbler, and a Blackpoll Warbler with its noticeable black cap. At some point this spring, I spotted a Canada Warbler – a striking little bird.

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Species List

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa), Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia), Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata bromia), Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos), Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus), Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula), American Robin (Turdus migratorius), Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea), Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), Veery (Catharus fuscescens fuscescens), Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe), Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens), Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis), Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga coronata), Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus), American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla), Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias herodias), Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis tristis), Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus), Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens), Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla), Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum), Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea), Yellow-throated Warbler (Setophaga dominica), Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens), Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus erythrophthalmus), Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis), House Wren (Troglodytes aedon), Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos), Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea), Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata), Yellow-shafted Flicker (Colaptes auratus luteus), House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus frontalis), Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica), Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus appalachiensis), Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus velox), Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens), Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica), Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus), Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura septentrionalis), Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla), White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis carolinensis), Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis)

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