I saw several first-of-season species at Southern Gap, today: Prairie
Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Blue-winged Warbler, and White-eyed Vireo.
I also saw Black-and-white, Hooded, Black-throated Green, Northern Parula,
and Yellow-throated warblers, Blue-headed and Yellow-throated vireos,
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Brown Thrasher, Gray Catbird, Downy and Hairy
woodpeckers, Flicker, Raven, and Cooper's Hawk.
I watched a Red-tailed Hawk and a Red-shouldered Hawk duke it out for 3-4
minutes, one of the coolest aerial displays I've ever witnessed. The
smaller Red-shouldered was apparently the aggressor, chasing and
dive-bombing the Red-tailed repeatedly. When the larger raptor turned and
fought, though, it more than held its own. The Red-shouldered called over
and over and was answered by another Red-shouldered nearby, so I'm guessing
they had a nest they were protecting. Quite the show.
By the way, has anyone heard or seen a Red-eyed Vireo, yet?
Happy Birding,
Michelle
