Warblers At Bancroft Bay Park

We went to Bancroft Bay Park this morning. It was cold and for whatever reason the Warblers were feeding down in the grass rather than in the treetops as they normally would. I have been watching the Spring Warbler migration for over fifty years and I probably have never seen this many Warblers. 

Our birding guests Paul and Carolee have been posting all of the birds and numbers they have logged this week at Bancroft (and Myre Big Island State Park and our yard in Oakwood) to eBird at Cornell University. As of today Bancroft Bay Park was officially designated by eBird as a "Hotspot". 

 Here are some from today (first pic  is a Least Flycatcher):

OakWooD Garden Paths

Warbler migration is still on. Today the American Redstarts arrived in Oakwood from the Caribbean, Central and South America. Some will stay and nest locally, but many just are passing through. This afternoon they were working the brick walkways in the garden. How many? Hard to say, as they were coming and going, I think the most we saw at one time was four or five, both males and females. Redstarts are dainty little things that flit continually spreading  their fan tails as they feed - no seeds for these birds - bugs, bugs and bugs. These photos are all male Redstarts ... and one single male Yellow Warbler who stopped by late to see what the excitement was about.

Ants!

 - Gunnar

Ponds and Puddles of Big Island State Park

We took a hike at Big Island State Park this morning. The sun was warm, grass was green and the skies were blue. These are cellphone shots because I was packing a long lens. There were a few birds, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Swallows, Pelicans, usual suspects - nothing of note except the pair of Trumpeter Swans that nest in the Great Marsh. It is still wonderful seeing Trumpeter Swans. If I can stay above the sod long enough maybe I can see them become as dirt common as Eagles or Pelicans.

I will get around to downloading (or is it uploading?) the camera photos eventually. A full plate right now. Be well - G.

Pileated Woodpecker

There was a ree-port of a Pileated Woodpecker ... with some circumstantial evidence about. When questioned the bird denied it was his work. 

An honest bird?

Pileateds have been known to lie. 

Just trying to keep them honest.  - Gunnar B.