The Prairie Warbler persists. Several years ago, when I heard (then saw) my first Prairie Warbler at Beech Hill, it was above all a thrill. A “rare” sighting, a lovely singer, a pretty little jewel of a bird. Then a couple-three years later, I began to hear more of them singing during spring migration.
And then I moved to Utah. Not quite three years later, I’m back. And Prairie Warblers are, too.
Jack-my-dog and I began hiking the Beech Hill trails again on 01 May, and in the month since, I’ve heard and/or seen Prairie Warblers most days, I think. One in particular seems to have decided to take up residence. I suspect it’s yet another sign of the changing climate, the changing ranges of birds of various kinds.
On the one hand, it’s a delight to see and hear this cool bird regularly; on the other… What have we humans wrought?
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 8:28 a.m., I hiked most trails.
1. Red-eyed Vireo**
2. Ovenbird**
3. Black-throated Green Warbler** (v)
4. Common Yellowthroat (v)
5. Tufted Titmouse (v)
6. American Crow*
7. Veery
8. Northern Cardinal* (v)
9. Hairy Woodpecker (v)
10. Gray Catbird*
11. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
12. Chestnut-sided Warbler**
13. American Redstart**
14. American Goldfinch** (v)
15. Pileated Woodpecker (v)
16. Eastern Towhee
17. Eastern Wood-pewee (v)
18. Black-and-white Warbler (v)
19. Alder Flycatcher
20. Yellow Warbler
21. Song Sparrow** (v)
22. Field Sparrow
23. Cedar Waxwing
24. Prairie Warbler
25. Eastern Bluebird
26. Herring Gull*
27. Black-billed Cuckoo (v)
28. Purple Finch
29. Chipping Sparrow**
30. American Robin*
31. Hermit Thrush (v)
Elsewhere
32. Mallard
33. European Starling
34. Rock Pigeon
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
†First-of-year
Tags: alder flycatcher, American crow, American goldfinch, American redstart, American robin, black-and-white warbler, black-billed cuckoo, black-capped chickadee, black-throated green warbler, Cedar waxwing, chestnut-sided warbler, chipping sparrow, common yellowthroat, eastern bluebird, eastern towhee, eastern wood-pewee, European starling, field sparrow, gray catbird, hermit thrush, herring gull, iry woodpecker, mallard, northern cardinal, ovenbird, pileated woodpecker, prairie, purple finch, rock pigeon, song sparrow, tufted titmouse, veery, warbler, yellow warbler
