Exploring McCarthy Woods for new warbler lifers!

Yesterday I came across this blogger's post about all the interesting birds found in McCarthy Woods and nearby areas.  So today, I went there to look for them myself.

McCarthy Woods is quite beautiful this time of the year where the White Trilliums (Trillium grandiflorum) dominate the forest floor.

I am a bit late this year and some of the flowers are starting to turn red already.


What the forest floor looks like.

To look for warblers, I must pay attention to any movement near the treetop.  The first thing I noticed was a bird moving up on a tree trunk.  Initially I thought it was a Brown Creeper, but it had more distinct patterns on its face and body.

Now I am pretty certain this was a female Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia).  Lifer #1.

Hopping up a tree.

As I walked through the woods, I noticed a plump bird flying away and hiding in the canopy.

The crown stripe marked it as an Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla).  Lifer #2.  Since I don't actively seek out warblers, there are still many warblers that I have not seen before.

I found a small trail on the other side of McCarthy Road, and the first bird I saw was a Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula).  First of the year!

I saw this bumblebee-like fly, which I think was a Eristalis flavipes.

Male American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)

Female Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) - another first of the year.

Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) singing away.

A field of Field Pussytoes (Antennaria neglecta).

A pretty good outing considering I was there for less than two hours.