May 18 2012. There’s a condition called Warbler Neck, it’s the lasting spinal discomfort that you get standing 60 feet below and straining to see a diminutive warbler picking its way through the upper reaches of a forest canopy. It’s what we got looking a couple of Blackburnian Warblers today, we found them in the penthouse levels of an as yet un-leaved ash tree. Blackburnians rank among the best-dressed warbler, right up there with Magnolia Warblers, Canada Warblers and Cape May Warblers. In another context you might call them a fop or a dandy with their flaming orange cravat.
The Blackburnian was among several great sightings on today’s census at the bird observatory. We ended up with well over 50 species including migrants such as a Tennessee Warbler, a male and female Scarlet Tanager and Red–eyed Vireos. Claiming territory were a Blue–winged Warbler, several House Wrens and Great Crested Flycatchers. A pair of Hairy Woodpeckers chattered loudly in strong objection to our presence below their nest hole. The female was carrying food for their young and got close to the nest entrance many times but could never quite allow herself to give away the secret location.
Along the river a pair of Canada Geese was shepherding 13 goslings and a small flock of Spotted Sandpipers flew by. It was warm enough to put a dozen Turkey Vultures airborne rocking from side to side in their characteristic shallow V flight. A single immature Bald Eagle passed high overhead and a small team of Chimney Swifts flew tight circles around the property on fast sickle shaped wings.