Sometimes it feels like my reports from my frequent Potter County, PA trips begin to take on the tone of Garrison Keillor’s News from Lake Wobegon (where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average.) Let’s see what early Spetember holds in that untouched, unspoiled, untamed wilderness the locals like to call God’s Country…
My mother-in-law Ann’s spread sustains flocks of feeder birds. The highlight this weekend was a juvenile Rose-breasted Grosbeak with just a thumbprint of blush adorning its breast. Ann suspects that this is the progeny of the pair that stop in every spring.
Just a touch of rose on that breast
Bobolinks and blackbirds may have quit the fields but Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are holding on, at least until the hollyhocks die back. Savannah Sparrows are now dominant in the tall grass, bearing witness to fall migratory birds and butterflies.
This Monarch does not appear to have another thousand miles in him!
Up at the higher altitudes where my father-in-law Will resides, Chipping Sparrows have not yet given way to the inevitable American Tree Sparrows. Black-capped Chickadees roam in unruly packs while Eastern Bluebirds perch on every convenient wire or hay bale.
The dominant color in many Eastern Bluebirds is actually rust
The only flycatcher on the hill these days looks to be Eastern Phoebes, some of them showing the shaggy plumage of youth. Warblers are, for the most part, just passing through; we caught glimpses of Magnolia and Black-throated Green in transit. Yellow-rumped Warblers, however, look like they’ll stick around a while.
Yellow-rumped Cape May Warbler
My prize sighting for Labor Day Weekend 2009 was a gang of Ruffed Grouse crossing Will’s dirt road. Since I’ve only ever seen two or three in my life, the five that strutted, stalked, and flew by really pumped up my total. The fancy males didn’t stick around to be admired but one tufted hen hung back for photos.
Ruffed Grouse
Are we certain that’s a Yellow-rumped Warbler? With that super weak eyering and flush of yellow in the throat it looks a bit like the first year Cape Mays that throw me every fall.
Mike, that’s pretty interesting about the Eastern Bluebird. I had no idea that their dominant color was actually rust. Crazy! Who knew?!
I’m with Nate on the warbler. It has a Cape May’s face.
You know, guys, I think you’re right. I was going to reply that I saw butter on that bird’s butt (which sounds kind of creepy if you’re not familiar with wood warblers) but just learned that Cape Mays have some color on their rumps as well. Seth and I had this exact conversation and I dismissed the possibility out of hand because we were watching many yellow-rumps. Thanks for the help… my first AFAIK Cape May Warbler of the year!
Oh man, I was gonna come on here and be a wiseguy and just say, “Nice Cape May Warbler.” They beat me to it. Nice shot!
Nice Cape May Warbler.
Oh dang!
lovely lovely lovely birds. I love them!
Great post Mike. What a sight seeing the five Ruffed Grouse and having one pose for you! Nice shot of the Cape May Warbler too. That would be a lifer for me!