The Cape May Warbler. A denizen of boreal forests, this spectacular bird is one I have dreamed for years of seeing up close. Until this morning that goal eluded me.

Leaving the house at 5:45, I arrived on the ridge at Garret Mountain at 6:20. There was already a crew of birders observing the overnight arrivals. While there was not the volume of birds we had yesterday, the quality of birds offering great views was overwhelming.

Magnolias' Chestnut-sided, Nashville and even a female Cerulean (iIdidn't see that one) had danced across the ridge, the opening act for the main show. Soon someone called out Blackburnian and turning to look I found (well, actually, someone guided my eyes as I was looking too high), low in the tree, a stunning male, casually dining on caterpillars (photos to follow). Shortly after that, on the opposite side of the ridge, this Cape May began to serenade us. The song of the moment was this birds TZEE song interrupted by the rapid-fire clicks of a half a dozen cameras firing at once. It was brilliant.

I did not hang around the mountain much after that. It could only be anti-climactic. These past two days at Garret represented some of the most incredible birding days I have ever experience. I am humbled by the beauty witnessed there and profoundly grateful to the experienced birders who patiently coached those of us with less experience.


Name: Cape May Warbler
Scientific Name: Setophaga tigrina
Status: Least Concern
Sound: http://bit.ly/CapeMayW