A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher I spied on April 5 in the willows at the creek provided a new yard bird for my 2008 list.
I anticipate the arrival of this tiny, active bird in the last days of March and first days of April.
For instance, in 2006 I saw my first Blue-gray Gnatcatcher of spring on March 31. My first sighting in 2007 took place on April 1.
Going back 10 years, I checked my records and discovered that I saw my first Blue-gray Gnatcatcher of spring on March 30 in 1998.
Based on most of these records, the arrival date of April 5 is a few days late for this little bird. It’s possible that rain and other distractions kept me from noticing the bird immediately upon its arrival.
But, the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, despite its small size, has a way of making its presence known. They are extremely vocal, producing an insistent, steady buzzy call as they forage among buds and newly-emerged leaves for tiny insect prey. In fact, I heard this year’s first arrival a few seconds before I noticed the bird in the willow branches.
A few hours before observing this Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at home on Simerly Creek Road in Hampton, I helped lead a morning bird walk at Tipton-Haynes Historic Site in Johnson City. During that well-attended stroll on the grounds of the historic farmstead, we saw a variety of birds, including my first Blue-gray Gnatcatcher of the year. Other good birds included Eastern Bluebird, Northern Cardinal, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Great Blue Herons. This is the second year in a row Great Blue Herons have flown over Tipton-Haynes during the course of these annual bird walks. The walks are held as part of the festivities around the historic location’s annual observance of Andre Michaux Day.
The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher I observed at home became my 39th yard bird of the year.
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I spent some time birding at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park and Wilbur Lake in Elizabethton recently with Gil Derouen, Reece Jamerson and Roy Knispel. We enjoyed listening and watching singing Eastern Meadowlarks in the 18 acres of land recently donated to the park. In addition, we watched a pair of American Kestrels on some utility wires in this vicinity. For many years, this expanse of land located near some of the dilapidated factories in Elizabethton has been a good place to look for various sparrows, Indigo Buntings, Blue Grosbeaks and, during very wet periods, even shorebirds at some of the temporary puddles.
At Wilbur Lake and on the Watauga River, we saw Buffleheads, Wood Ducks, Mallards, Lesser Scaups, Great Blue Herons and an Osprey. We also heard a singing Pine Warbler.
In addition, a brief visit to Rasar Farm on the Watauga River yielded a very impressive look at a “Yellow” Palm Warbler. This eastern race of the Palm Warbler is not a common migrant in the region. It gets the descriptive “Yellow” tag because, unlike the Western race, a breeding male is awash in yellow over most of his body and still sports the handsome maroon cap.
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Is everyone watching for the return of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds? I am always eager to hear from readers about their first sighting of these tiny birds each spring. To report your first sighting of the season, give me a call at 297-9077. You can also e-mail me at ahoodedwarbler@aol.com.
