Twitch: Kentucky Warbler?
Lyman Woods, IL
Sunday 3 May 2020
71 °F
Today, I headed to Lyman Woods in Downers Grove to find a Kentucky Warbler that has been seen there the last few days. I was greeted by an EASTERN BLUEBIRD female:
And there were indeed warblers — here is an ORANGE-CROWNED:
YELLOW-RUMPED:
A nice RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, love these:
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH:
And I made it to the “Wood Duck pond” where the Kentucky had been seen last. There were indeed WOOD DUCKS:
And warblers — but the wrong kind: NASHVILLE:
And a really beautifully-showing male BLUE-WINGED:
The surprise of the day was when I heard a male CERULEAN WARBLER sing from the treetops —amazing! It’s song is “zree zree zree zi-zi-zi-yeee!” with an overall ascending pattern, and despite hearing it three times, I could never get eyes on the bird. Well, it still counts for the spring warbler list — awesome!
TREE SWALLOW:
Immature/female type ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK:
RED-TAILED HAWK:
Unfortunately, despite a thorough search, I never find the Kentucky. Luckily, that species is a semi-annual breeder in the Palos preserves so I hope to get it, if not first during migration, then during early summer. So, before heading home, I wanted to make a few more birding stops — first was GAR Woods where there was quite a bit of activity, including BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER:
BLUE-HEADED VIREO:
NORTHERN PARULA — my second new-for-spring warbler today!
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER:
INDIGO BUNTING:
HERMIT THRUSH:
And its more olivaceous cousin, the SWAINSON’S:
Finally, one quick stop at Thatcher Woods before heading home yielded my first SCARLET TANAGER of the year high in the treetops — yay!
A bit of birding around the neighborhood and from the backyard later in the day yielded, of course, AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES:
And one of the resident COOPER’S HAWKS of the 800 block of Fair Oaks Ave.
Loved seeing an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER in the neighborhood!
And it’s so great to see ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS again.
Bird-of-the-day to the Northern Parula with runner-up to the Cerulean Warbler. Cerulean would usually get top billing but since he refused to show, he gets knocked down a notch — and certainly no awards to the missing Kentucky! I am now at 22 warblers for the spring; the full list is attached below.
Good birding,
Henry
World Life List: 1114 Species
Spring 2020 warbler list: 22/35 so far
1. Ovenbird: Washington Park, May 1
2. Worm-eating Warbler BONUS RARITY: North Pond, April 28
3. Louisiana Waterthrush: DuPage County, April 4
4. Northern Waterhthrush: North Pond, April 28
5. Golden-winged Warbler
6. Blue-winged Warbler: Washington Park, May 1
7. Black-and-White Warbler: North Pond, April 28
8. Prothonotary Warbler
9. Tennessee Warbler: Jackson Park, May 2
10. Orange-crowned Warbler: Oak Park alley, April 24
11. Nashville Warbler: Hegewisch Marsh, April 27
12. Connecticut Warbler
13. Mourning Warbler
14. Kentucky Warbler
15. Common Yellowthroat: North Pond, April 28
16. Hooded Warbler
17. American Redstart: Jackson Park, May 2
18. Cape May Warbler
19. Cerulean Warbler: Lyman Woods, May 3
20. Northern Parula: GAR Woods, May 3
21. Magnolia Warbler: North Pond, May 2
22. Bay-breasted Warbler
23. Blackburnian Warbler: North Pond, May 2
24. Yellow Warbler: Jackson Park, May 2
25. Chestnut-sided Warbler
26. Blackpoll Warbler
27. Black-throated Blue Warbler
28. Palm Warbler: Big Marsh, April 27
29. Pine Warbler: Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve, April 18
30. Yellow-rumped Warbler: Thatcher Woods, April 4
31. Yellow-throated Warbler: North Pond, May 2
32. Townsend’s Warbler BONUS RARITY: Deer Grove Forest Preserve, April 17
33. Black-throated Green Warbler: Gillson Park, April 28
34. Canada Warbler
35. Wilson’s Warbler
