This past Monday, while driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway near mile 146,
a tiny bird darted in front of my car and I hit it. I usually succeed
in avoiding bird collisions, but in this instance I had about a
half-second and couldn't stop in time.
I retrieved the bird, and to my surprise it appears to be a Wilson's
Warbler. It would be a lifer for me so I can't say I have experience
with this species. All I can say is that it is a dead ringer for the
bird in both Sibley and Kaufmann. If this is indeed what it is, I am
sad to have gotten a lifer in this regrettable fashion.
The bird does not nest in my neck of the woods; I believe it nests far
to the north of us, and I live in Floyd County. Furthermore, if this is
a migrant, it would be very early. Can anybody tell me if they've seen
a Wilson's either nesting in these parts, or migrating in late July? Or
is there another bird that might be confused with a Wilson's? A
juvenile or molting form of another species?
I am prepared to believe this may be something a lot more ordinary, but
I can't find anything in any of my field guides but the Wilson's that
seems to come close. Furthermore, it darted out in front of my car from
a spot where there was water, and I understand its preferred habitat is
marshy areas and bogs.
Seth Williamson
Floyd, VA
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