Thrushes, Warblers, and Other Migrants at Ewing Park and My Yard on Glenn in McLean County

It was not a good day for taking pictures, but sometimes the rainy days can be very birdy. Since I had the day off, I waited until about 9:00 a.m. to venture out into the drizzle. I got up much earlier not knowing it was going to be raining. Although it was nice to see a White-breasted Nuthatch on my peanut feeder outside, when I saw the rain, I decided to go back to bed. When I got to Ewing, the rain had cleared up a bit temporarily at least, but it was still completely overcast. Occasionally, a few rays would light the path. The first bird I saw in Hedge Apple Woods at Ewing Park was an Ovenbird. There were several Ovenbirds along the path, but there seemed to be Swainson's Thrushes all over the park. This one allowed a nice photo op. while it was preening.





Another bird I saw in abundance was Red-eyed Vireo, and I had one Warbling Vireo.





Otherwise, it seemed to be the day for thrushes or thrush-like birds. There were plenty of American Robins, but the warblers did not seem to want to come out into the drizzle. I did have Magnolia and American Redstart. The American Redstart landed about a yard from my feet to catch a moth, but then flew away before I could get my camera on her. It rained several times while I was at the park, soaking every lens I had--camera, binoculars, and glasses. Finally, by 11:00, I had given up.

While I was enjoying the early afternoon on the couch, my wife Carrie saw a warbler from the window in one of our cedar trees. I looked through her binoculars and saw a Blackburnian Warbler and then a Magnolia. I tried to take a few pictures from the window, but then went outside to get a better view. The Blackburnian disappeared so I photographed the Magnolia first. Eventually the Blackburnian returned.













There was a lot of activity at our feeders as well, including Black-capped Chickadees and House Finches visiting our peanut feeder.



I photographed this juvenile sparrow on our driveway from the window. I think it is probably a juvenile Chipping, but I wanted to make sure it is not a Clay-colored. Does anyone want to tackle this? My guidebooks just weren't very helpful, or perhaps it's the picture.



We have had about ten young House Finches hanging around. They really love the Safflower Seed we put in the feeder next to the kitchen window. This one was probably wanting me to leave the window so that she could come to the feeder.





I am pretty sure this warbler that was also in my yard is not a Blackburnian. I think it is a first year Blackpoll Warbler, but I cannot be sure. I would appreciate any input.



I also had another Magnoliam, a Golden-winged Warbler, and a Red-eyed Vireo in my yard. Having all of these active warblers in my yard made me think it might be a good idea to return to Ewing to try to see more warblers. As it turned out, the warblers at Ewing were active as well. Not long after I arrived, I saw another Magnolia, a Tennessee, and a Wilson's Warbler together. Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of the Wilson's.





I also had Ovenbird, American Redstart (including an adult male), Black-and-white, Nashville, Chestnut-sided, and Golden-winged.

Not long after I had arrived I ran into Dale Birkenholz, who had decided to come out after seeing a Swainson's Thrush in his yard. He had also seen a lot of Swainson's Thrushes, American Robins, and Ovenbirds in the woods. It was nice to watch some warblers with good company. Although we were enjoying less common migrants, we could not help stopping to get a look at this colorful first year American Robin. Can you guess what it was eating?





Below is a complete list of the birds I was able to identify at Ewing Park and in my yard on Glenn St. in Normal.

Ewing Park (Bloomington) and Glenn (Normal), McLean, US-IL
Sep 9, 2011
Protocol: Area
4.0 ac
36 species

Canada Goose 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Mourning Dove 3
Chimney Swift 8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Warbling Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 6
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 3
Black-capped Chickadee 12
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 1
Veery 2
Swainson's Thrush 13
American Robin 50
Gray Catbird 5
Brown Thrasher 1
Ovenbird 5
Golden-winged Warbler 3
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Tennessee Warbler 2
Nashville Warbler 1
American Redstart 3
Magnolia Warbler 5
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Wilson's Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 15
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3
Common Grackle 1
House Finch 10
American Goldfinch 11
House Sparrow 5