Today, Monday, April 19, I was joined by Dave White, Elisa Enders, Renee
Hudgins, Bob & Kathy Loomis, and Michael Doucette and Sandy Kauffman and their
ten-year old son Peter from Maine. I had planned to walk the entire northern
loop, but because the weather was predicted to get very warm and the group was
so large, I decided to stick with the shorter route of North and South Jericho.
We left the parking area at Jericho Ditch Lane at about 7:10 am with the temp
about 63F.
Today's total was 42 species which is average. The new birds for me for the
swamp weren't all that new since a couple of them had already been reported by
others. But MY new year birds for the swamp were Red-eyed Vireo, Wood Thrush,
and Indigo Bunting. Other birds of note included a small flock of Rusty
Blackbirds calling as they passed overhead; a Barred Owl that flew across
North Jericho and landed in a tree where it was difficult to see, but obliged
us by moving to a more visible perch; a pair of industrious White-eyed Vireos
building a nest at below eye level.
My warbler list seems to have gotten stuck at twelve, although not the same
species every time. Prothonotary Warbler (12), Ovenbird (6), Hooded Warbler
(4), Prairie Warbler (6), Common Yellowthroat (11), Black-and-white Warbler
(5), Swainson's Warbler (4), Worm-eating Warbler (2), Yellow-rumped Warbler
(14), Northern Parula (1), Black-throated Green Warbler (1), Louisiana
Waterthrush (1). These numbers should be higher, but I was having a good time
and chatting too much. However, we secured good looks at most of these
warblers and four of them were lifers for Peter. The Swainson's Warbler that
we saw was south along Jericho near a fluorescent orange tape marker which
actually marks his territory. The marker was placed there by Gary Graves of
the Smithsonian Institution who continues his long-term study of this warbler
in the Great Dismal Swamp. Our warbler poured out his ringing song within
fifteen feet of the road. He walked and hopped along the ground singing as he
went. Most of the time we had to look through a tangle of vines to see the
bird. At one point he hopped up on a log from which vantage point he jumped
up, grabbed an insect, and returned to the log. The song is quite
ventriloquial making the actual location of the bird even more difficult to
discover. It was quite rewarding to persevere and get to see the bird. Peter
was very excited. As most of you are aware playing tapes for callback has not
been allowed in the swamp for several years. Hence, seeing Swainson's Warblers
has become something of a challenge.
After it warmed up a bit, butterflies were out in numbers everywhere. The
numbers given here are estimates since I wasn't giving the numbers my usual
patient attention. Pearl Crescent (50), E. Tiger Swallowtail (10), Zebra
Swallowtail (10), Juvenal/Horace/s Duskywing (10), Spring Azure (10), Henry's
Elfin (3), Palomedes Swallowtail (5), American Lady (5), Black Swallowtail (4),
Sleep Orange (2), Fiery Skipper (1).
My next walk in the swamp will be from Washington Ditch parking lot at 7am
on Friday, April 23. Join me if you wish.
Bob Ake
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