Double-header (01-04Oct2018)

October has started out with a bang!  Hot on the heels of the Kirtland's Warbler at the end of Sept, John F and friends found the 4th record of Townsend's Warbler in NC at North River Farms.  I was actually doing some early morning birding at Fort Fisher when I first noticed the Townsend's report.  Here are some pics from that morning.  I had 6-7 warbler species which is very good for coastal NC.

Hooded Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler

Cape May Warbler

So later that afternoon after work I managed to jam up to North River Farms and meet up with someone that has the code for the gate and we got to the spot where the Townsend's was seen a little after 5pm.

First we found the Dickcissel that was seen in the company of the Townsend's and then.....

Townsend's Warbler!!! I have much better photos from California where these are the Black-throated Green equivalent but this was a fantastic find for NC and a good addition to my year effort.  Its a good thing the face mask was so dark because hybridization can be an issue but this bird was all Townsend's!

It was hanging in the trees mostly but then flying down to the ground to pick up grubs.

I had a couple hours of light left so I decided to swing up to Cedar Island Ferry Terminal where an American Golden has been hanging out thanks to Marty's reconnaissance.

American Golden Plover

Pectoral SPs too.

Back in Wilmington on a subsequent day....

These Blue-winged Teal are still hanging out at the flooded recreation fields 2 weeks after Florence.

Lots of Herons, Egrets and Ibises too.  This Little Blue in the middle compared nicely with the Snowy Egrets.

Marsh Wrens are back...

This weekend its soccer tourney time with the youngest boy.  Maybe I can locate a Gray-cheeked Thrush or Philadelphia Vireo up in the Triangle.