I sometimes think rough weather is more of a concern for birders and
bird watchers than it is for the birds, themselves. For sure, the crazy weather this last
weekend had no effect on the many new migrating birds I added to my spring
birding list other than cause me to duck for shelter, now and then during the sudden, violent downpours. On the marsh, saw my first Blue-winged Teal and heard my first Sora of the spring, just where I heard one last year. Same bird? Also added a Swamp Sparrow in the cattails back on the creek. Out on the lake, saw many flocks of Ruddy Ducks with males in full breeding plumage - a real treat in the
Leica 10x25 which has become my constant companion on my daily bike commute. Also spotted a Caspian Tern amid all the Ring-billed Gulls. Reminded me just how large this species of tern is, seeing it with all those smaller Ring-billeds.
Warblers continue to move, with my first Tennessee Warbler of the spring and I expect more action on warblers in the coming weeks as the insects are definitely thriving in this warm humid weather. Maybe that explains the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in the same area where I have seen a pair nesting for the last five years. Might have to burn a vacation day to keep up on all the
birding action.