At last! We finally recorded Swainson's Warbler. Not only was it
recorded, but we all saw one well for ten minutes singing near the track just
north of five-points along Jericho Ditch. Another singing male, that occupies
a territory in the triangle formed by Lynn and south Jericho Ditches, nearly
took our heads off as a flew through the group. We heard a total of seven
singing Swainson's Warblers. The group that showed up at 6:30 am and got this
show included Renee Hudgins, Jethro Runco, Pam Dummitt, Ann Esmas, and Gene
Burreson.
Birds that were new for me this year in the swamp besides the Swainson's
Warbler were Worm-eating Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Acadian Flycatcher,
Wood Thrush, and the most unusual bird of the morning, a gorgeous Grasshopper
Sparrow almost under foot.
The complete bird list is as follows: Ovenbird (7), Red-eyed Vireo (3),
Acadian Flycatcher (1), Common Grackle (5), White-breasted Nuthatch (2),
Carolina Chickadee (3), Carolina Wren (4), Prothonotary Warbler (20),
Black-and-white Warbler (5), American Goldfinch (2), Barred Owl (2),
Red-shouldered Hawk (2), Northern Waterthrush (1), White-eyed Vireo (6), Common
Yellowthroat (16), Swainson's Warbler (7), Wood Thrush (1), Great Crested
Flycatcher (5), Pileated Woodpecker (6), Red-bellied Woodpecker (7), Prairie
Warbler (15), Worm-eating Warbler (2), Gray Catbird (11), Wood Duck (6),
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (3), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (3), Eastern Towhee (8),
Brown-headed Cowbird (3), White-throated Sparrow (6), Chimney Swift (4),
Louisiana Waterthrush (1), Hairy Woodpecker (2), Yellow-rumped Warbler (6),
Blue Jay (1), Yellow-billed Cuckoo (2), Laughing Gull (2), Pine Warbler (2),
Downy Woodpecker (2), Great Blue Heron (2), Black Vulture (1), Turkey Vulture
(2), Ring-billed Gull (2), American Redstart (1), Red-tailed Hawk (1),
Grasshopper Sparrow (1), Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2), Hooded Warbler (1),
Parula Warbler (1), Barn Swallow (1), American Robin (1). Total species 50
including 14 warbler species.
The butterfly list included: Pearl Crescent (7), Zebra Swallowtail (11),
Carolina Satyr (3), Mourning Cloak (1), Palamedes Swallowtail (30), Black
Swallowtail (2), Spring Azure (3), Juvenal/Horace Duskywing (4), E. Tiger
Swallowtail (2), Great Purple Hairstreak (1), Spicebush Swallowtail (1),
American Lady (1), and two probables, Henry's Elfin (2), Lacewing
Roadside-skipper (1).
My final walk in the swamp for this year will be next Thursday, May 5 at
6:30 am from Washington ditch parking lot. No reservations are necessary; just
show up. Hope to see you there.
Cheers,
Bob
Robert L. Ake
6603 Catherine Street
Norfolk VA 23505
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