Bird Alert - April 20, 2008

The cold front on Friday afternoon (April 18) was followed by the grounding of many migrants along the coast at Sabine Woods and The Willows at Sea Rim. On Friday afternoon, orioles and Yellow Warblers were most obvious, but there were many species of warbler and other neotropical migrants.  Tennessee Warblers were in the woods in high numbers.

Although the north winds that followed frontal passage died down much sooner than forecast, the birding at Sabine Woods and at the Willows at Sea Rim was spectacular on Saturday (April 19), and still excellent on Sunday (April 20).  Twenty seven species of warbler were reported by experienced observers Saturday at Sabine Woods, and at least 24 on Sunday. In addition, Louisiana Waterthrush was confirmed only on Friday (in three locations); a Palm Warbler was seen by Steve Mayes on the Road to the Pilot Station in Sabine Pass on Sunday morning.  Late on Sunday afternoon, a stunning male Cape May Warbler appeared at the Willows at Sea Rim, and after playing hide and seek with a lot more hide for a couple of hours, finally starting working the willows near the entrance for all to see well for as long as desired.  Altogether, 30 warbler species were seen along the coast this weekend.

Cerulean Warblers were present if not always easy to find. Male Blackburnian Warblers were seen by many.  On Saturday afternoon, two male Golden-winged Warblers were almost the easiest warblers to find.  Blackpoll Warblers were also very visible. Ovenbirds have been hard to find this year, but several were eventually found on Saturday.  Careful searching was sometimes rewarded by glimpses of Swainson's Warblers in several areas of the western oaks at Sabine Woods where they have not been seen before.  Chestnut-sided have appeared, and one male Bay-breasted was very visible on Sunday.  The only truly reticent warbler was a female Black-throated Blue seen by very few on Saturday.

All the vireos that can be really expected (Blue-headed, Warbling, Philadelphia, Red-eyed, White-eyed and Yellow-throated) were seen, the last mentioned being somewhat unusually scarce.  (No Black-whiskered or Yellow-green – yet.)

Baltimore and Orchard Orioles have been plentiful, but cuckoos have yet to appear in anything in excess of ones or twos.  Indigo Buntings have been plentiful, but Pianted Buntings have been hard to find.

Both tanagers have been well represented, and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks very visible.  Blue Grosbeaks have been seen, but not yet in large numbers.

Wood Thrush numbers have increased, while both Swainson's and Gray-cheeked Thrushes are present.

A few Empidonax Flycatchers have been seen, with probable Acadian, Least and Willow.  There has been one Great-crested Flycatcher in Sabine Woods every day.

John A. Whittle