Sam Smith Park Warblers, etc. - May 8th

[Brian Bailey]

From about 7:30 until 9:00 this morning, I searched the north parts of Sam Smith Park for migrants.  Most places were very quiet, but there were some good spots, particularly the south-east corner of "the bowl".
Warblers:
Black-throated Green (plentiful and vocal)
Black-throated Blue (several, but silent)
Yellow-rumped (plentiful and vocal)
Black and White (several, no signing)
Nashville (2 or 3, singing)
Palm (1)
Blackburnian (several, some singing)
Ovenbird (several, some singing)
Chestnut-sided (1 or 2, singing)
American Redstart (1)

Thrushes:
Veery (5 or 6)
Hermit (2 or 3)
Wood (1)

Others of note:
2 Red-eyed Vireos (FOY for me)
Baltimore Oriole
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (several males)
Least Flycatcher (calling)
2 Great Blue Herons flying high, headed north
Common Loon fly-overs
House Wren (3)

Also, heard a Carolina Wren calling from the east side of the park, possibly in one of the yards on 13th Street.

BB

[mr.sharp-photo]

trying to picture where the south-east corner of the "bowl" is, but i can't think of where it is in relation to the parking lot.

[Brian Bailey]

The area known as "the bowl" or "the swale" is the long depression ringed with conifers near the north-east corner of the park.  I used to be much better for birds before all the undergrowth was removed a few years ago.  The best area is typically along the east side where there's a good mix of conifers and deciduous trees.  It's also the most sheltered from a west wind.  The "little bowl" just across the park road at the south end of the bowl is also a good spot to check.

BB

[mr.sharp-photo]

still not sure if you are referring to the wooded area that is close to Lake Shore or if you're talking about the forested area that's south of the school and near the water.

[Brian Bailey]

It's up near Lake Shore Blvd.

[angieinto]

Thanks, I was wondering myself, as I'm still not very familiar with the park.

[Brian Bailey]

More specifically, here's the spot I found (and often find in recent years) the best warbler concentration: Google Map Link.  The "little bowl" is right at the end of Morrison Street.

Another part of the park that is excellent for migrating songbirds is the area, directly south of there, just on the north side of the Waterfront Trail.  That section of mature trees, shrubs and long grass is always worth a look at this time of year.

BB

[cocosally]

Brian, Is that the area around where we saw the Hermit Thrush on the May bird walk?

[Brian Bailey]

Brian, Is that the area around where we saw the Hermit Thrush on the May bird walk?

If you mean the April walk, I think we did see at least one Hermit Thrush near there.  I remember one right were the path comes in from Morrison Street, and I think there was one closer to the bowl as well.

Brian

[cocosally]

Brian, Is that the area around where we saw the Hermit Thrush on the May bird walk?

If you mean the April walk, I think we did see at least one Hermit Thrush near there.  I remember one right were the path comes in from Morrison Street, and I think there was one closer to the bowl as well.

Brian

Yes Brian, I meant the April one and the Hermit Thursh was @ someone's back yard. ^_^