American Woodcock

From Magee Marsh today.  Weather not great for migration - gray and cold - new arrivals were held back.  Nevertheless, we found some sweet birds.

Waking up

Preening

Still preening

Pausing

Giving the full American woodcock show.

Below:  A few other birds from the day.

Horned Grebe

Lots of Bald Eagles this day.

The final push for Hermit Thrushes.

Rusty Blackbirds were numerous.

Ruby-crowned Kinglets also numerous.

Above and two below:  Yellow-rumped Warblers were somewhat numerous. We also saw a few Palm Warblers and heard a Louisiana Waterthrush. I think this is the best time of year to see and hear yellow-rumped warblers.  They are so spiffy in their new plumage, their non-descript little trill is music to the ear, and they will be totally ignored when the other warblers begin to arrive.

Field mark for which it gets its frumpy name.

At Ottawa NWR white-crowned sparrows were behind the visitor center and in various stages of mounting into alternate plumage.  I thought April 22nd was early for these guys.