Monday, 05/20/19 was a cold, gray and a little windy birding day at Magee. Definitely past peak in terms of numbers, but there was still a good number of birds around. Plenty of these were not seen or did not pause for photos. A super relaxing birding day.
Still trying to figure this bird out - female-type Bay-breasted vs. hybrid vs. still not alternate plumage filled-out. The field marks that confuse me are the eye-ring, for a female bolder than it should be, the muted rufous flanks and the partial rufous cap. Lower down are two photos of full-breeding male Bay-breasted.
Above and below: Philadelphia vireo - the first I've seen in years and very welcome.
A little screech nicely tucked away from the crowds.
Monday was the day of the redstart. There were a couple of black and orange males, but female and first spring male American Redstarts were everywhere.
Canada Warbler is a bird that's easily missed by me. This was the first I've seen in a couple of years.
Singing male Bay-breasted Warbler. I love that the bird is singing - a really tiny little song - and below. Compare these photos to the first photo to see the confusing details of the bird in the first photo.
I love this photo of Swainson's Thrush just for the composition of it. So typical of Swainson's. I saw only one Gray-cheeked (I thought there would be many) and could not get a photo of that bird. I would have loved to include here just for comparison.
Above and below: Empid sp. Alder, Willow, Acadian? I was hoping to see Yellow-bellied, which is often possible at Magee, but no luck for me on this day.
Baby Great Horned Owl
Singing Song Sparrow - such a typical pose.
Is our Cedar Waxwing an under appreciated bird?
Warbling Vireo
Eastern Kingbird - I was surprised how few were around. So difficult to get the eye to show up in this bird.
My best bird to photograph all day. First spring male Yellow Warbler.
Black-throated Blue Warbler. For as little as I've been out, I've been fortunate to see many this spring.
Wilson's Warbler - so happy to see this bird. Another that I can easily miss in any given year.
I really liked this little reddish Song Sparrow with tiny twigs in its bill and below with its typically alert stance and pretty face. I think it may be a first spring bird.
Above, female Blackpoll
Finally, there were a few Chestnut-sided around. This was the most photographable. I think it could be a first spring male.
