Wilson's Warbler

Went poking around the meadow today, thinking I would look for some warblers. I finally saw some after standing for about 20 minutes up to my knees in long grass and thistles. I had to work hard to identify the Wilson's Warbler because I spent most of the time looking at females, which are completly non-descript. The fact that they flutter around a lot and like to hide behind alder leaves that are always bigger than they are didn't help.

Finally, after patiently scanning the edge of the wood, I saw a male, and his black cap gave him away. A quick check of the field guide confirmed that the others were definitely females. Yay. Hunting warblers requires the patience of a monk at times.

Other birds spotted, and recorded here for posterity:

• American Robin
  
• Chestnut-backed Chickadee
  
• American Crow
  
• Raven
  
• Stellar's Jay
  
• Red-shafted Flicker
  
• White-breasted nuthatch
  
• Swainson's Thrush
  
• Violet-green swallow
  
• Canada Goose
  
• Song Sparrow
  
• Warbling vireo
  

posted by Chris at 2:54 PM | |