Highland County field trip
Saturday June 7, led by John Spahr. High-elevation "highlights" included a Barred Owl, Winter Wren, Mourning Warbler, Golden-winged Warblers, Canada Warbler, Alder Flycatcher, Bobolink, Yellow-throated Vireo, Bald Eagle (immature), and both kinds of Orioles. Altogether, 99 species were seen or heard.
Observing the Alder Flycatcher at Straight Fork, a few miles west of Blue Grass.
Observing the Yellow-throated Vireo in the nest, in the town of New Hampden. Photo courtesy of Beth Lumadue.
Montage of songbirds from Highland County. Clockwise, from top left: Canada Warbler, Bobolink, Mourning Warbler, Baltimore Oriole, Black-throated blue Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Winter Wren, and in the center, Blackburnian Warbler. Most of these images are freeze-frames from digital video clips. YouTube video pending...
Annual brunch picnic
Annual birding and brunch meeting, Montgomery Hall Park, May 3. Some of the best birds that were seen included: Peregrine Falcon, Chestnut-sided warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Red-eyed Vireos, American Redstart, Indigo Bunting, and Great Crested Flycatcher.
Albino Catbird
Thanks to new area resident Darrell Schwalm for submitting these photos of a leucistic ("albino") Catbird (NOT a Mockingbird, as first thought!) that he and his wife saw along the wetland portion of Bell's Lane on May 10. It was seen regularly through mid-summer, at least.