[texbirds] Re: Bexar Co. Swainson's Warblers
- From: peter barnes <pbarnes123@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: doefamily@xxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 12:59:34 -0500
Bob:
I have heard abbreviated elements of the song by Swainson's Warblers at
Richland Creek WMA, Freestone and Navarro counties, where they are regular
breeders. The ones I heard were in late August. The birds would make single
or several short slurred whistles like the first part of the song, then
eventually make longer more coordinated efforts, and finally break out into
their usual breeding song after a few minutes. Sounded like they were
warming up their vocal chords. Not sure if these were juveniles or adults
getting ready to leave after breeding.
Peter Barnes
Tyler
On Mon, Jun 24, 2013 at 12:50 PM, <doefamily@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> On Sunday, I was at Medina River Natural Area in south Bexar County where
> I heard a loud, thin song reminiscent of Swainson's Warbler, although I
> could not locate the bird. Overnight, I listened to many recordings of
> Swainson's Warbler and found one that is virtually identical to what I
> heard. Go to www.xwno-cantu.org, search for Swainson's Warbler and
> listen to file xc103760. At the end of this recording is a 5 note song
> virtually identical in tone, timing, and emphasis to what I heard at Medina
> River. Being basically non-musical, I interpret the song as something like
> "zeet, zeet, zeet, zook, zook", with the "Zeet, Zeet, Zeet" all being the
> same tone and evenly spaced, and the "Zook. Zook" being lower in tone and
> slightly faster.
>
> I went back to the site this morning and had more song, at one point 3
> birds singing simultaneously. The birds sang infrequently. In the
> approximately 1 1/2 hours I was there, there were 3 song sessions. But when
> one bird would begin to sing, others would join in. During a song session,
> an individual bird would sing repeatedly over several minutes.
> Interestingly, almost all of the songs were the same 5 note song, However,
> during one session, 1 bird added a sixth note to the end, softly and
> seemingly hesitantly, as if the bird wasn't sure the note belonged. Most of
> the songs at xeno-cantu include this sixth slurred note.
>
> Question: Do juvenile Swainson's give an abbreviated song? Or is there a
> "post breeding" abbreviated song? Almost all of the songs I heard were 5
> note calls, and almost all of the recordings have a slurred 6th note.
>
> The birds were VERY difficult to see. I never did see a singing bird, but
> was fortunate to see one bird fly to the opposite side of the river and
> land for a few seconds on an exposed branch. First Swainson's Warbler I
> have seen in Texas (saw several while I was in coastal Mississippi). I
> believe the bird I saw was a juvenile, as it seemed duller than breeding
> birds I remember from Mississippi, but Swainson's is never very bright.
>
> DESCRIPTION: Chunky appearing warbler, approximately the size of Carolina
> Wren, which were very common at the site. Overall dull color. Back and
> wings were dull grayish brown, no wingbars. Underparts were dull grayish or
> grayish white, no obvious streaking. Noticeable dull white eyebrow stripe,
> crown a dull slightly reddish brown. Bill long, straight, stout.
>
> Location, if anyone wants to try for these birds: Medina Rivera Natural
> Area is located in south Bexar County, off of Highway 16, just north of the
> Medina River. From the headquarters, drop down to the river and take the
> Rio Medina trail. Continue on the Rio Medina trail about 1/4 mile past the
> junction with the Nogales Trail (total distance from headquarters about 1
> 1/4 to 1 1/2 miles). There will be a large downed tree on the left (trail
> passes it on the right). Immediately past the downed tree is a fishing
> access to the right and immediately past the fishing access is a mud puddle
> in the trail (only wet spot on the trail today). Swainson's Warblers have
> been in the vicinity of the downed tree, on both sides of the river. If you
> go about 150 yards too far, the trail will turn left and begin to loop back
> toward the headquarters. WARNING: It is very hot and humid down under the
> trees, The breeze doesn't work down through the foliage very often. Also,
> poison ivy/poison oak is
> VERY common in the area. Watch where you step and put your hands and be
> aware of overhanging branches along the trail.
>
>
> Bob Doe
> Spring Branch
>
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