Westmoreland SP birding was great as usual on April 28, especially at the
bottom of the Big Meadow Trail near the swamp. Best bird was a male
redstart in close view for 10 minutes, followed by male and female orchard
orioles, a hooded warbler, several white-eyed vireos, 2 blue-gray
gnatcatchers, catbird and yellow-rumped warblers. Near the visitor's center
were 2 palm warblers and along the CCC Trail, an ovenbird sat on a low
holly branch, obviously trying to deafen anyone nearby with that loud song.
At Wilna last Friday, a pair of amazingly bright prothonotary warblers
seemed unconcerned at being observed near the fishing dock. Also saw a
red-eyed vireo, white-breasted nuthatch, female pine warbler gathering
nesting material, male summer tanager, and in clear view in the grasslands,
male and female blue grosbeaks, indigo buntings, common yellowthroats,
kingbirds, and a noisy yellow-breasted chat at the top of a sapling.
At home, "our" wrens have fledged their first brood from the shed ivy,
the bluebirds their first from the box and a pair of cardinals next to the
front porch are feeding babies. Eastern tiger swallowtails seem to be
everywhere, also have seen a few spicebush and zebra swallowtails.
