Bristol Area Birders, Today with the rain gone I had 44 species in and around my yard. I came close to breaking my record of 47. The morning action started when I stepped out of the house about 7:15 and heard the low guttural sound of a crow, not a caw. I scanned the neighbor's field for the source and saw a Cooper's Hawk being chased by two crows. Moments later I saw another Cooper's near the first. Then I saw a third Cooper's. For about an hour the crows and the 3 hawks took turns chasing each other. Once I thought one Cooper's was going to nail a crow, but no luck. As they were doing their thing a Gray Fox trotted out of that field and crossed the road into mine. It soon disappeared into the woods. Scarlet Tanagers seemed to be everywhere. The total for the morning would be 15. The topmost branch of each tree seemed to be decorated with a Tanager. They were playing flycatcher, darting out to grab insects from the air. Even a flock of Starlings were into the act, which seemed uncharacteristic for them. The real flycatchers, an Eastern Phoebe and 4 Eastern Wood Pewees, were darting from the outer branches of the walnut trees to get their share. 8 species of Warblers made their appearance through the morning. The first were the Tennessees.They would total 7 throughout the morning. They are almost always the first warblers seen here in the morning, possibly because they outnumber the other warbler species. Next came the Yellow-throated Warbler near the electrical pole. For some reason this species has an affinity for the electrical components and the pole itself. This has been the pattern for them here for the last few years. Next came a small yellow bird. Even though it would be early in the season, I thought at first I had a Wilson's, but it turned out to be a female Yellow Warbler. I was surprised to see one this late. Something else that made this bird unique was the black crescent shaped necklace on its breast. It wasn't like that of a Canada, but a solid black crescent. After looking at the video I took, I think the bird had some type of injury or had gotten against something that colored its feathers. A Blackburnian put in a short appearance in the top of the walnut tree. Next came a Cape May in the top of the apple tree. Shortly a Chestnut-sided was hopping about in a locust tree. A Palm Warbler searched about in the grass with tail bobbing. Later two Magnolia Warblers showed up feeding on the tops of flowering weeds. One fed within four feet of me, but my video camera kept focusing on the background. I did manage to get some good video later. A first year American Redstart was feeding among the soft white blossoms of the Virgin Bower Vine that climbs among the shrubs. Three Swainson's Thrushes made their respective pauses in the yard before heading for the deeper woods. 1 White-eyed and 1Blue-headed Vireo had a turn in the walnut tree. 2 Red-eyed Vireos searched among the leaves of a maple tree, trying to disguise themselves as Tennessees. Finally a Broad-winged Hawk caught my eye as it circled gaining altitude before heading in a southerly direction. It was definitely a very good day. Good Birding, Roger Mayhorn Buchanan County Here is the complete list for those interested: American Crow 6 American Goldfinch 5 American Redstart 1 (immature male) American Robin 7 Barn Swallow 1 Blackburnian Warbler 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 Blue-headed Vireo 1 Blue Jay 2 Broad-winged Hawk 1 Cape May Warbler 1 Carolina Chickadee 2 Carolina Wren 3 Cedar Waxwing 1 Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 Chipping Sparrow 2 Cooper?s Hawk 3 Downy Woodpecker 2 Eastern Bluebird 6 Eastern Phoebe 1 Eastern Towhee 5 Eastern Wood Pewee 4 European Starling 25 Gray Catbird 4 House Finch 4 Magnolia Warbler 2 Mourning Dove 6 Northern Cardinal 5 (2 females) Northern Flicker 5 Palm Warbler 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Red-eyed Vireo 2 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3 Scarlet Tanager 15 Song Sparrow 2 Swainson?s Thrush 3 Tennessee Warbler 7 Tufted Titmouse 2 White-breasted Nuthatch 2 White-eyed Vireo 1 Wild Turkeys 9 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1 Yellow-throated Warbler 1 Yellow Warbler 1 (female) Eastern Gray Squirrel 6 Gray Fox 1 ************************************************* BRISTOL BIRDS NET LIST This is a regional birding list sponsored by the Bristol Bird Club to facilitate communications between birders and bird clubs of Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. 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