Second and third wave birds are fighting for first place

High pressure overhead is creating light winds overnight and during the day. The banded birds from the last couple days have moved north. One hundred fifty-six new birds with 37 recaptures was the catch of the day. Many female Mourning Warbler and American Redstarts which are the 3rd wave birds. If the winds shift to the south I still think we will get our Magnolia Warbler and Swainson's Thrush push but who knows. It still should be a good weekend to see warblers and other mid-month and late month migrants. Nineteen warblers were seen or heard on the beach ridge today including: Tennessee, Nashville, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, Black-and-white, American Redstart, Prothonotary, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Mourning, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's, and Canada.

Top 7 species:

American Redstart (AMRE)- 25

Magnolia Warbler (MAWA)- 20

Common Yellowthroat (COYE)- 15

Ovenbird (OVEN)- 12

Gray Catbird (GRCA)-11

Mourning Warbler (MOWA)- 9

Swainson's Thrush (SWTH)- 9

This Canada Warbler is a second-year male. You can see it has off-color and abraded primary coverts which contrast with the gray lesser coverts. The black necklace on the chest is reduced in size as well. A word of caution if you only use the amount of speckling on the chest for identifying it as a second-year male since adult females can have some black feathers in their necklace.

Get out and enjoy Spring! It will be well worth your time.