FreeLists / bristol-birds / [Bristol-Birds] 55 Yard Species - Compton Mt Warbler Watch

["Mayhorn" <mayhorn@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Area Birders,
Thirty-seven birders came from all directions to enjoy the warblers and other 
passerines as they passed through our yard here on Compton Mt on Saturday 
(9/10). Birders from Gloucester County VA, Orange, Ruckersville, Richmond, 
Lynchburg, Bristol, Fort Washington MD, Cincinnati, OH and some from TN came to 
enjoy the day and the birds. The day started off with blue skies, a cool 53 
degrees and the birding action began as early as 7:20 when BLACKBURNIAN and 
TENNESSEE WARBLERS began feeding through the trees and shrubs. A 
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER put on a show for everyone by ignoring all the 
binoculars trained on it and began bathing in our small pond stream. 
CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLERS fed among the Walnut tree branches in the backyard as 
CEDAR WAXWINGS and SCARLET TANAGERS in fall plumage chased each other through 
the trees. The first CAPE MAY WARBLERS of the season, both male and female, 
gave everyone great looks as they worked the large Cedar tree in the front 
yard. Other warbler species - BLACK-AND-WHITES, 1 CANADA, HOODED WARBLERS, 
MAGNOLIAS, a female AMERICAN REDSTART, BLACK-THROATED GREENS and a late 
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT all made appearances in or around the yard. At one point a 
female BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER flew in suddenly and perched just in front 
of the group on the branch of an apple tree. Within a couple of seconds a male 
had joined her, and then they were gone, as quickly as they had come. A COMMON 
NIGHTHAWK caught everyone's attention, when it passed over on its way south. A 
small flock of CHIMNEY SWIFTS circled over the area, and a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK 
could be heard calling beyond the edge of the woods. 

After a great lunch prepared by my wife, Lynda, and a table full of desserts 
and other foods brought by the visitors, some of the group took a short walk 
around the trail that circles part of our property. At one point a 4 WILD 
TURKEYS crossed the trail in front of us. Later in the day a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK 
startled relaxing birders in the yard as it zipped through their midst only 
about 4 feet off the ground. Lynda was just in the process of collecting an 
empty cup, when she heard the whoosh of the hawk's wings, as it passed within a 
couple of feet of her. 
A small group of birders took a hike of about 3 miles along a dirt road that 
runs to an isolated cemetery. They found several of the same species that were 
being seen around the yard.

The day was an enjoyable one with great company, good conversation, good food 
and fantastic looks at migrating birds. You can't ask for better than that.

Following are links to photos of some of the birds and people who were here. 
Following that is the list of 55 species that were logged for the day.

 http://users.mikrotec.com/mayhorn/WarbWatch05/WarbWatchP1.htm

http://users.mikrotec.com/mayhorn/WarbWatch05/WarbWatchP2.htm

http://users.mikrotec.com/mayhorn/WarbWatch05/WarbWatchP3.htm

Enjoy the birds,

Roger Mayhorn
Compton Mt (near Grundy)
Buchanan County 

 55 Species

American Crow 4
American Goldfinch 1m
American Redstart 1f
American Robin 7

Barn Swallow 1

Black-and-white Warbler 5 (4m, 1f)

Blackburnian Warbler 4 (1m, 3f)

Black-throated Blue Warbler 2 (1m, 1f)

Black-throated Green Warbler 3

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1

Blue Jay 2   

Brown Thrasher 1

Canada Warbler 1

Cape May Warbler 6 (1m, 5f)

Carolina Chickadee 8

Carolina Wren 3

Cedar Waxwing 18

Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 (1st. year female)

Chimney Swift 15

Chipping Sparrow 1

Common Nighthawk 1

Downy Woodpecker 3   

Eastern Bluebird 9

Eastern Phoebe (1 juv)

Eastern Towhee 6

Eastern Wood Pewee 1

European Starling 8 

Gray Catbird 2

Hairy Woodpecker 1

Hooded Warbler 3 (2m, 1f)

House Finch 5

Indigo Bunting 1f

Magnolia Warbler 3 (1f)

Mourning Dove 8

Northern Cardinal 2 (1m, 1f)

Northern Flicker 3 

Pileated Woodpecker 1

Purple Martin 3

Red-bellied Woodpecker 1

Red-eyed Vireo 3

Red-shouldered Hawk 1

Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2 (1m, 1f) 

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4

Scarlet Tanager 9

Sharp-shinned Hawk 1

Song Sparrow 1

Tennessee Warbler 9

Tufted Titmouse 4

Turkey Vulture 1

White-breasted Nuthatch 2

White-eyed Vireo 1 

Wild Turkey 4

Yellow-breasted Chat 1

Yellow-throated Vireo 1    

Yellow-throated Warbler 5