May 27, 2021: Birding Day 4

Date: May 27, 2021
Location: Lord Stirling Park, Somerset County NJ
Temperature: 70 degrees, sunny, no wind
Habitat: Shrubby swamp and deciduous

Birding Day 4:

Upon the past few weeks of birding, I have made a nemesis bird: Blue-winged Warbler. Literally everyday that I have gone to bird I have picked a place where this species was reported, yet I have yet to find one. As I arrive at this park, I am vaguely familiar with the area as it is the other side to the park that I work at, run under the neighboring county. This area is maintained, so it is less "rugged" per say than the area I work in about 3 miles away. The area is a compact mix of swampland, deciduous forest, with a small collection of streams and lakes. Upon walking to the location I researched, I finally was able to hear that long awaited bee-buzzzzz. Sadly, I was unable to see the bird, but that is okay! As I continued on my walk with a weight taken off my shoulders, I was able to really tune in to the other sounds around me. The most amount of birds I heard had to be Eastern Phoebe, a generally compact, grey bird that is quite vocal. Red-eyed vireo was also a "background bird" for me. The bird that I saw the most was a Yellow Warbler believe it or not. I saw 6 Yellow Warblers, and heard up to 15! Obviously their song, sweet-sweet-little more sweet, followed me around as well. I started getting confused when American Redstarts made an appearance, their songs are definitely the one that trips me up the most, especially since I just was around so many Yellow Warblers. The Yellow Warblers were in the more shrubby habitat, while the Willow Flycatchers were in the more wooded area most. Good birding day! I am going back tomorrow because I did not find the Red-headed Woodpecker... As I was getting in my car an employee told me their location!

Posted on May 27, 2021 10:24 PM by mia0507