September 8, 2005 [LINK]
Warbler swarm in Staunton!
I went up to the picnic area at the top of Montgomery Hall Park around noon once again today, and this time I really hit the jackpot. As soon as I got out of my car I spotted one of the tiny, colorful insect-eaters (otherwise known as warblers) flittering about the tree limbs, and over the next 45 minutes or so I spotted five other warbler species, plus several other neotropical migrants. It was one of the best days of birding I've had since I went to Costa Rica! Here are the highlights:
- Blackpoll warbler (F)
- Magnolia warblers
- Chestnut-sided warblers
- Black and white warbler
- American redstart (a warbler)
- Northern parula (a warbler)
- Red-eyed vireos (5 +)
- Baltimore oriole (1st year male)
- Scarlet tanager (F)
- Northern flickers
- Blue-gray gnatcatcher
- Red-bellied woodpeckers
- Downy woodpecker
- Eastern wood-pewee
- Cedar waxwings