Hello VA Birders--
Late this afternoon at the boat ramp at Algonkian Park, along the Potomac
River in Loudoun County, I tracked what I am am sure is a warbler of some
sort, and definitely not a yellow-rump, nor was it a kinglet. It let me get
pretty close--I was able to observe it for about 20 minutes at a distance of
about 25 feet or so. The features that I noted were the gray head and upper
back; black eye; short, thin, black beak; and white breast with grayish
streaks on the breast and sides. The undertail coverts were white. I looked
for yellow, but the bird had absolutely no yellow on it anywhere I could see.
It did not cock its tail. My Peterson's Eastern Field Guide was of no help
while I was at the site. When I got home I consulted both the Peterson's
Warblers book and Sibley. It looks exactly like the first fall female Cape
May Warbler shown in the Petersons Warbler guide (p. 65 and 255). Would a
first fall female still have that type of plumage in late winter? Is March
1st a very early date for one to be here? So, birders, what do you think?
Thanks in advance for any help.
I also saw a brown creeper while I was there, and three bluebirds, as well as
other typical winter birds.
Liz Koozmin
Reston, VA
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