This AM I made my first trip to Soldier's Delight since the last time I was
there. Whenever that was. Place was it's usual birdy self. However I will
state right up front that I neither saw, heard, nor imagined (hallucinated?)
any Summer Tanagers. The bird seems to be abandoning this long established
breeding site for reasons unknown to me or Keith Costley who helped search
for them  last year. It's still the same old place and it is managed for as
little change as possible because it is unique habitat for the Piedmont. Any
thoughts on this matter would be appreciated.

Some nice migrants today; Good looks at BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, CHESTNUT-SIDED
WARBLER AND BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER.     Also BLACKPOLL, heard but not
seen. There is one singing out back as I type. They are coming thru earlier
than usual. This is normally the last bird to pass by on its way to the top
of some mountain in New England or parts further north. I can only assume
global warming has it on the move sooner.

Ran into a traveling band of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, also headed north for
the summer.

BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER/NUTHATCH well seen and heard. OVENBIRDS also seen -
caught one doing its walk-along-the-branch trick. There are not many birds
that actually walk on tree limbs. This one is noted for it.

Caught sight of a PRAIRIE WARBLER singing and odd version of their song.
Usually it has a rather buzzy quality as it winds its way up the scale. This
one was noticeably clear-sounding. Almost sounded like a Field Sparrow, but
I saw the bird do it and I can tell a Prairie from a sparrow. I hope. I had
to ask myself why this one seemed to have lost its proper tone.

Also had nice looks at YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS, two of them singing in fairly
close proximity to each other. One was singing from near the top of a dead
tree in plain sight. Is that legal? Let's face it folks, this bird loves to
get behind a thick bunch of leaves and sing its head off while you crane
your necks and strain your binocs trying to catch a glimpse. Getting one out
in the open almost seems like cheating the system.

LA WATERTHRUSH heard along the little stream in the back.

ACADIAN FLYCATCHERS and EASTERN WOOD PEWEES are in and well accounted for.
BROWN THRASHER right near the head of the trail. Also heard the squeak of a
Rose-breasted Grosbeak but failed to find it.

Most everything else was too mundane to mention here. I consider most
residents and other common things only worth a mention if they 're missing.
Anybody taken a walk lately without seeing or hearing a Chickadee? Neither
have I.

Jerry Tarbell
Delighted in Carroll County