A Small But Productive Window, 05/19/18

~Flycatcher Sp. at Laurel Grove Cemetery, 05/19/18. I suspect this is an Eastern Wood-Pewee as I had heard one call earlier; I did not witness this bird calling however.~

I have some things going on this weekend, so my birding window was a brief one early this morning. I made the best of it – I went to Laurel Grove Cemetery, which was quite birdy. Best birds were: a family of Common Mergansers (one adult female with 7 young), Blackpoll Warblers (6+, my FOY), Cape Warbler (1), American Redstart (1), Chestnut-sided Warbler (1), Pine Warbler (2), Yellow-rumped Warblers (4), and most exciting – Bay-breasted Warblers (2, my FOY).

~I always loved Cape May in the rain. When we were kids, we spent the summers in Wildwood, NJ. On rainy days we would head to Cape May and wander around looking at the shops – usually getting candy or ice cream. Cape May Warbler in the rain at Laurel Grove Cemetery, 05/19/18.~

On my way out, I was contacted by Rob Stone; he had 10 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS and 3 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS at the Camel Farm. I ran for the birds on my way home, meeting up with Linda Scrima. Unfortunately I was pressed for time, so I was only able to take a quick look at the birds before I had to run, but still it was great to see them and add them to my 2018 Orange County list. I also saw my FOY Bobolink as I was leaving the Camel Farm. Not bad for a quick morning in the field!