[va-bird] Swainson's Warblers in Buchanan County

Hi All,
This morning Lynda and I birded the Head of Slate Creek, the next hollow north 
of Compton Mt off Rt 83. We logged 30 species, but we were mostly birding by 
ear since most of the birds were in the tall trees with thick foliage.
The highlight of the day was 3 Swainson's Warblers found at different spots 
along the stream that flows beside the roadway. One of the Swainson's was 
singing a very unusual song. It was part Swainson's call mixed with a Louisiana 
'Waterthrush call. The first part of the call sounded like a Swainson's with 
the second part sounding somewhat like a Louisiana Waterthrush without the 
trill at the end. I know that the Swainson's call normally sounds similar to 
that of a Louisiana Waterthrush, but this was different. It may have been due 
to the fact that its territory was at the head of a beaver pond, while a 
Louisiana Waterthrush held a territory just below it at the other end of the 
pond. I actually thought the Swainson's was a waterthrush until I got a look at 
it through the binoculars. We had already heard both Swainson's and 
waterthrush, so our ears were accustomed to both songs at the time.

Other warblers found were American Redstarts, Black-and-whites, Black-throated 
Greens, a Blue-winged Warbler, Hooded Warblers, Northern Parulas, Ovenbirds and 
a Yellow-breasted Chat.

At the same time we saw the Blue-winged Warbler we heard a song similar in tone 
to a Golden-winged song, but this song consisted of 6 notes, 3 buzzy musical 
notes then three buzz notes. If you were to add two more notes to the beginning 
of the 4 note Golden-winged song you would hear what we heard.The buzz notes 
were exactly like that of a Golden-winged. Maybe it was a Brewster's 
(Blue-winged - Golden-winged hybrid. We never saw the singer.

Acadian Flycatchers seemed to be everywhere, and so did Wood Thrushes and 
Ovenbirds. I was glad to hear so many Wood Thrushes, as they are said to be 
declining in number.

Once while listening to the birds, we heard a mewing sound nearby and saw a 
small animal scrambling through the low plants near some rhododendron. It was 
about squirrel size, but didn't move like a squirrel. I could never get a good 
look at it, but I got a glimpse that looked as if it were a small possum, 
though I have never heard a possum make those sounds before. It was crying as 
if we had disturbed it or it was in pain. I walked parallel to it a few steps 
along the road to attempt a better look, and the animal flushed a Ruffed 
Grouse. I never saw the animal after that, but the grouse returned and started 
clucking. I think she probably had young ones that she was trying to round up.

For those interested the complete list follows.

Roger Mayhorn
Compton Mt

American Crow 2

Acadian Flycatcher 10

American Crow 1

American Redstart 3 

Black-and-white Warbler 2

Black-throated Green Warbler 2

Blue-headed Vireo 4

Blue Jay 4

Blue-winged Warbler 1

Carolina Chickadee 1

Carolina Wren 5 

Downy Woodpecker 1 

Eastern Towhee 1 

Hooded Warbler 6

Indigo Bunting 4m

Louisiana Waterthrush 2

Northern Cardinal 3 (2m, 1f)

Northern Parula 3 

Ovenbird 10

Pileated Woodpecker 1

Red-eyed Vireo 7

Ruffed Grouse 1 (clucking as if with young)

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2

Scarlet Tanager 4m

Song Sparrow 3

Swainson's Warbler 3

Tufted Titmouse 4

Wood Thrush 10

Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1

Yellow-breasted Chat 1

You are subscribed to VA-BIRD. To post to this mailing list, simply send email 
to va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx To unsubscribe, send email to
va-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.

Other related posts: