Black-and-white Warbler after a bath.

This morning Jack and I stopped and stood for a while at a watering hole. A miniature watering hole, warbler-sized. A very small vernal pool. What got me to stop was the slight sound of feathers being shaken about. I thought I knew what that meant—and there, sure enough, was a little Yellow-rumped Warbler splashing about at the edge of the pool.

Yellow-rumped Warbler stopping for a drink.

But the yellow-rump turned out not to be making the sound I heard, which was coming from a Black-and-white Warbler perched in a branch nearby, preening. It’d preen a bit, then shake itself like a dog.

Then I watched another ’rump pause at the edge of the pool for a drink.

Jack didn’t say what he thought of the whole affair.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 8:15 a.m., I hiked all trails.

1. Ovenbird
2. Black-and-white Warbler
3. American Goldfinch**
4. Eastern Towhee
5. Common Yellowthroat (v)
6. Herring Gull*
7. Blue Jay (v)
8. Gray Catbird**
9. Yellow-rumped Warbler
10. Ruffed Grouse (booming)
11. Song Sparrow**
12. American Crow*
13. Downy Woodpecker (v)
14. Blue-headed Vireo
15. Northern Flicker (v)
16. Osprey (v)
17. Tree Swallow
18. Savannah Sparrow
19. Tufted Titmouse** (v)
20. Black-capped Chickadee**
21. American Robin*
22. Pileated Woodpecker (v)
23. Northern Cardinal* (v)
24.Purple Finch (v)
25. Common Raven
26. Rose-breasted Grosbreak (v)
27. Chestnut-sided Warbler (v)
28. Wild Turkey (v)

Elsewhere

29. Common Grackle
30. House Finch (v)

v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere

Savannah Sparrow.