ABB: May 12-18

[nkwali]

Birded ABB this morning from 7:00-9:45. I spent more time than I expected I would because there was a lot going on - most of it right by the parking lot.

Warblers:
yellow
wilson's
common yellowthroat
magnolia
black-throated blue
black-throated green
black-and-white
yellow-rumped
bay-breasted (lifer for me)

others:
indigo bunting (1)
american redstart (1)
brown thrashers (2)
ruby-crowned kinglet
blue-gray gnatcatcher
baltimore orioles (5)
white-crowned sparrow (4)
white-throated sparrow (6)
song sparrow (1)
hermit thrush (2)
warbling vireo (2)
american goldfinch (4)
hairy woodpecker (1)

[dclark32]

Just back from twitching the Chat, about which I'm sure we'll see many more reports.  Still hanging about in the same spot on the extreme western tip of the park.  Besides that, quite a bit of variety.  First swainson's thrush of the year, and turned up either 14 or 15 species of warbler depending on whether you include the chat with the warblers.  Mostly the same as previously reported, with my FOY of Blackburnian and Cape May amongst them.  Looking forward to seeing what else the large numbers of birders currently birding the park will turn up!

DC

[mr.sharp-photo]

it's funny. was there this AM and there wasn't much. plus it was dark, cold and rainy. saw the chat for 0.5 seconds.
gave it a go again at 2 pm and the chat was putting on a great show.

wilson's warbler was also seen.
2 female scarlet tanagers were chowing away.

a birder took a pic of a strange warbler. couldn't see the wings, but it had a yellow crown, a black eyeline and a yellow breast that went into white

[beresford]

In response to your unusual warbler Richard, it sounds very much like a Brewster's. Spot on as a matter-of-fact.

Hope this helps
Tim

[mr.sharp-photo]

In response to your unusual warbler Richard, it sounds very much like a Brewster's. Spot on as a matter-of-fact.

Hope this helps
Tim

just looked at the pic.
so whattayaknow?
a Brewster's warbler seen on the path near the marina.

[dclark32]

Migration clearly at a peak at Ashbridge's Bay right now as I hit the 60 species mark for the first time this year (plus a probable Traill's Flycatcher), with several new arrivals, found after birding from just before 7 until 8:30.  Highlights as follows, with arrivals in bold.

Warblers (19 species, including Chat, which until the AOU committee officially separates it from the warblers shall continue to be lumped in with them):

Yump (10-15), Magnolia (10+ ...closing in on overtaking Yump as the default warbler), Yellowthroat (7), Redstart (4), Yellow (3), Tennessee (3), BT Blue (2), Palm (2), Parula (2), Blackburnian (1), Ovenbird (1), Nashville (1), Bay-breasted (1), B&W (1), Wilson's (1), Chestnut-sided (1), BT Green (1), Chat (1), Canada (1)

Other highlights:

Indigo Bunting (1)
Scarlet Tanager (2) - an overdue life bird for me, and goodness gracious are they ever bright.  A red orb of light emanating from the tree tops.
Philadelphia Vireo (1) - singing near the parking lot
Orchard Oriole
Least Flycatcher (2)
Empidonax Sp. (1) - probable Traill's
Eastern Wood-Pewee (1)

DC

[Rotarran]

Thanks DC.  Whereabouts did you spot the Scarlets and the Orchard?  I've seen both birds before but would love to see them again  

[dclark32]

No worries!  As for directions, the Orchard Oriole I found near the boardwalk at the marina, sitting in a tree.  Only got a brief look before it flew.  Should note that I also had a pair a few days ago in the eastern end of the park.  The Scarlet Tanagers were in the canopy of the trees bordering the brush pile near the marina - with the trees just beginning to bud keep your eyes peeled looking up and you should stumble on them.

[mr.sharp-photo]

and there's a rumour that there may be a second chat near the parking lot.

[dclark32]

Near the parking lot?!  Where would it hide?

[mr.sharp-photo]

Near the parking lot?!  Where would it hide?

heard second hand from 2 different birders today. the thickets that run alongside the marina's boathouse.

[dclark32]

Interesting.  While I'll be taking the day off from birding tomorrow (which surely means something else spectacular will be found), I suppose I'll have to keep an eye out.

[nkwali]

Birded the ABB from 12:00-1:45 today:

Warblers:
Wilson's
Canada
Northern Parula
Chestnut sided
Magnolia
Yellow rumped

American redstart

Other:
Scarlet tanager (6)
Baltimore orioles (3)
Indigo bunting (1)

No sign of the chat...

[mr.sharp-photo]

i was with a friend today and did a quick walk.

Magnolia male and female
Canada warbler (a first for me)
really didn't see all that much else, but again, i was there for 30 min. the warblers were silently moving through the trees, so they were there.

oh, also spotted?

piles and piles of dog shit.
truly the most disgusting i've seen this park after 4-5 years of birding there.

[dclark32]

Thanks for the heads-up Richard.  Guess I'll be going to the Islands this morning!