Following Robert Ake's lead, Debbie and I hiked the same route this
morning beginning at 0645. (Five Points, Williamson, New. Hudnell).
Barely 500' north of the parking area, we heard our first Swainson's
Warbler singing loudly and presumably close to the trail.
(36.43'04.2"N, 76.31'50.2"W if you happen to have a GPS, or at a small
log in the middle of the trail if you don't). After searching the brush
for many minutes, Debbie saw it fly across the trail. Not much of a
look, so we proceeded northward. Heard at least two others singing
before the intersection with Williamson Ditch, but again, not close
enough to the trail for a look. We heard our next close singing
Swainson's maybe a half mile down Williamson's at 36.43'32.6"N,
76.32'07.4"W. Again we struck out on seeing him but got a good look at
a male Hooded Warbler. From that point it was mostly quiet due to
increasing cloud cover, wind and time of day. We did see some huge
flocks of Cedar Waxwings feasting on the numerous berries on vine
tangles on the sides of the ditches. The sun returned along Hudnell
just before we got back to the parking lot. We were able to get great
scope views of a very cooperative preening Prairie Warbler in the
sunshine. After some lunch, we returned to the site of the first
Swainson's. He was still singing at 1200, but this time from the east
side of the ditch. Again we listened for at least 15 minutes, but came
up empty on the sighting. We returned to the car, and started out but
got stopped about halfway down the road (at 36.42'57.4"N, 76.32'26.9"W)
by another calling Swainson's. You know the story.heard but not seen.
At least 7 separate sites of singing Swainsons for the day, but no
sightings.
Other notable birds:
Warblers - Prothonotory, Ovenbird (H), Wormeating (H), Yellow Rump,
Pine, Black and White
Gnatcatcher, Wood duck, Great Crested Flycatcher, Chimney Swift, Red
Shouldered Hawk (H), Ruby Crowned Kinglet, White eyed Vireo , RT
Hummingbird, Kingfisher
Butterflies - Zebra Swallowtail. Tiger Swallowtail, Black Swallowtail,
Pearl Crescent, Spring Azure, and the cutest little black and white moth
Mammels - Beaver, Deer (heard bounding through the swamp)
Still, a wonderful walk in the woods despite the misses,
Kurt Schroeder
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