Cerulean Warbler (?)
With little warbler activity on Route 610 yesterday, I headed directly to my two favorite warbler sites on the first 14 miles of the parkway this morning. My first stop was at the south (upper end) of the large cirque near mm. 7.5. A few Yellow-throated Vireos were singing and flitting about high up in a few of the trees, and I heard a couple of American Redstarts. I then saw two warbler-sized birds fly across the parkway and into the trees on the east side of the road. I saw gray backs with some white and yellow underneath, but was only able to get one photo. With that undertail pattern, it looked to be a first year Cerulean Warbler, but did seem to be a bit yellow. I don't know what other species it could be.
Cerulean Warbler (?)
I then headed up to Hickory Springs Overlook (mm. 12). I hiked north of the overlook, but it was quiet except for a few woodland species. So I hiked south of the overlook, and was about to stop where I normally do when I am there, but heard avian activity a bit farther south. So I continued on, and that turned out to be a good decision.
When I got to where the activity was, the first thing I saw and heard was a female Cerulean Warbler flying across the road with two juveniles, while a fourth Cerulean Warbler continued to sing on the east side of the road. I was just getting into position to take some photos of the three warblers together when a line of cars and a motorcycle came by. I had to settle for a few photos of the female with one of the juveniles.
Female Cerulean Warbler and juvenile
Female Cerulean Warbler and juvenile
Juvenile Cerulean Warbler
And then another warbler caught my attention. It was a boldly colored American Redstart; most likely a first fall male.
American Redstart
American Redstart
American Redstart
American Redstart
The Cerulean Warblers continued to fly back and forth, and forage in the dense tree cover. I was able to get some good photos of the adult male and adult female [update: first fall male].
Adult male Cerulean Warbler
Adult male Cerulean Warbler
Adult female [update: first fall male] Cerulean Warbler
Adult female [update: first fall male] Cerulean Warbler
Adult female [update: first fall male] Cerulean Warbler
Adult female [update: first fall male] Cerulean Warbler
Adult female [update: first fall male] Cerulean Warbler
I wanted to get more photos of the juveniles, but two warblers deeper in the woods caught my eye. It was a pair of Worm-eating Warblers.
Worm-eating Warbler
I got several more photos of the first juvenile Cerulean Warbler.
Juvenile Cerulean Warbler
Juvenile Cerulean Warbler
Juvenile Cerulean Warbler
Juvenile Cerulean Warbler
And then some photos of the other juvenile Cerulean Warbler. Note the brown collar.
Juvenile Cerulean Warbler
Juvenile Cerulean Warbler
Juvenile Cerulean Warbler
Juvenile Cerulean Warbler
Juvenile Cerulean Warbler
Juvenile Cerulean Warbler
While I was getting photos of the juvenile Cerulean Warblers, two warblers landed in a small tree in front of me. At first I thought they were juvenile Black-throated Green Warblers, then possibly juvenile Blackburnian Warblers. But the dark of the breast makes me think that Black-throated Green is correct.
Juvenile Black-throated Green Warbler(?)
Juvenile Black-throated Green Warbler(?)
Juvenile Black-throated Green Warbler(?)
Juvenile Black-throated Green Warbler(?)
Juvenile Black-throated Green Warbler(?)
Not done yet! In a nearby tree, two more Cerulean Warblers appeared. I think that they were both first fall females.
Female Cerulean Warbler
Female Cerulean Warbler
Female Cerulean Warblers
At this same spot, I also saw Red-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireos, Scarlet Tanager, Eastern Towhee, and Dark-eyed Junco.
Yellow-throated Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Scarlet Tanager
Eastern Towhee
I ended up with 22 avian species on the parkway, and added 4 more woodland species on Route 610.