What I’ve been thrilled about this year’s spring migration is discovering American Redstarts in our neighborhood park!
The small black bird with striking orange patches and the big voice may be breeding at the park. I’ve heard male American Redstarts singing and seen females at the park for the past three weeks.
In the past, I would visit our local metroparks, where along with other birders, I would see and hear warblers on their migration north.
This spring I decided to save time and travel to bird our neighborhood park during spring migration.
Though it’s a small park, it has several dozen (over 100 years old) oak trees, a small creek, and good understory.
Which is great habitat for migrating birds looking for a place to stop to feed, rest before continuing the journey north, or nest.
I didn’t know what to expect at the park. I thought I’d see or hear a few warblers, thrushes, and vireos during migration.
At the least, I thought it would be a good experience to enjoy more time in the park.
Imagine my surprise when I checked my list and learned I discovered almost 20 migrants at our park this month:
- Magnolia Warbler
- Cape May Warbler
- Bay-breasted Warbler
- Chestnut-sided Warbler
- Yellow-rumped Warbler
- Canada Warbler
- Yellow Warbler
- Blackburnian Warbler
- Black-throated Green Warbler
- Mourning Warbler
- American Redstart
- Black-and-white Warbler
- Swainson’s Thrush
- Yellow-throated Vireo
- Wood Thrush
- Nashville Warbler
- Tennessee Warbler
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet
All but the American Redstart and Yellow Warbler seem to have moved on. They’re the only birds I’ve heard/seen in the past couple days at the park.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed the American Redstarts stay in the park!
