September 8, 2005 [LINK]

Warbler swarm in Staunton!

I went up to the picnic area at the top of Montgomery Hall Park around noon once again today, and this time I really hit the jackpot. As soon as I got out of my car I spotted one of the tiny, colorful insect-eaters (otherwise known as warblers) flittering about the tree limbs, and over the next 45 minutes or so I spotted five other warbler species, plus several other neotropical migrants. It was one of the best days of birding I've had since I went to Costa Rica! Here are the highlights:

• Blackpoll warbler (F)
• Magnolia warblers
• Chestnut-sided warblers
• Black and white warbler
• American redstart (a warbler)
• Northern parula (a warbler)
• Red-eyed vireos (5 +)
• Baltimore oriole (1st year male)
• Scarlet tanager (F)
• Northern flickers
• Blue-gray gnatcatcher
• Red-bellied woodpeckers
• Downy woodpecker
• Eastern wood-pewee
• Cedar waxwings