finches, warblers and ducks

Both American Goldfinches and House Finches -- in about equal numbers -- continued to frequent the head of the marsh this morning while a few new migrants appeared on the creek and in the so-called 'front range' -- where the woods and a row of dense shrubs face east across the pond and marsh. Three warblers: a Yellow Palm Warbler, an Ovenbird and many Common Yellowthroats. Today's flycatcher was an Eastern Phoebe. The crows found a hawk on the edge of the marsh and put up a huge fuss but by the time I could dash down to have a look it was gone. On the creek there was a flight of eight Green-winged Teal and, a bit later, two Blue-winged Teal. It might seem early for these small ducks but both species are sometime coastal nesters (both have nested on Long Island) and these might well be local birds moving around rather than long-distance travelers.

Eric Salzman