Cypress Circle was
teeming with warblers this morning, 8:30-9:30. It was overwhelming: I must have
missed seven or eight birds for every one I could ID. The group
was mostly Black-throated Green and Yellow-rumped Warblers, but fair
numbers of Nasville and Tennessee Warblers, as well as 1 each first fall
Northern Parula and Canada Warbler. Also in the
area were Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Chipping Sparrows, and a Brown
Creeper. All to a soundtrack of a constant loud chewing sound from all
directions. The squirrels were certainly getting their recommended daily
allowance of cypress nut today.
After an hour of
trying to see through feathery leaves, I wore out and headed west to the
Gaddy. It was much quieter, but still numerous Golden-crowned and a few
Ruby-crowned Kinglets, three yellow Redstarts, six White-throated Sparrows,
a Red-eyed Vireo, an Eastern Phoebe, and an Ovenbird. Also, in the bushes
behind the bubbler, a brief and incomplete look at a scolding wren with
eyestripe and grayish breast. I'd have needed a better look to call it a
Bewick's, so I'll not call it anything.
David
Scheu
St. Louis,
MO