Warblers and More in Webster

Part of our birding group gazing at Mount Kearsarge over Knight's Meadow Marsh

Two weekends ago I had the pleasure of joining birding expert Bob Quinn and a group of area birders on an early September bird walk in Webster, New Hampshire. The weather forecast was for rain, but other than a few sprinkles, it turned out to be a beautiful morning for observing fall migratory birds. I had previously only been on Spring warbler walks so I did find that the foliage on the trees and bushes made anything more than a brief sighting a challenge.

Cedar Waxwing

Before driving to our destination, while we gathered in the school parking lot, a few Cedar waxwings landed atop a barren tree, so there was no difficulty in seeing them.We also heard a Yellow-billed Cuckoo in the distance, and had I been alone, I probably would not have noticed it.

Once everyone arrived, we drove a few miles to Knight's Meadow Road to begin the walk which ended at Knight's Meadow Marsh. It did not take long before birds started appearing, including warblers. Once they started appearing, all we had to do was stand in place and watch them fly back and forth from one side of the road to the other. Our group as a whole identified 11 warbler species. It was somewhat disappointing that I was only able to capture one, a Blackburnian, with my camera. The Blackburnian warbler breeds in the United States from Northern Minnesota westward through the state of Maine. During the summer they are found in the forest canopy, but during migration they come down to the lower brush with other warbler species. I consider myself lucky to have seen this one. He has a long way to go before his final destination - the open forests of South America.

Blackburnian Warbler

After a couple hours of warbler watching we entered the woods where we heard and saw a Broad-winged hawk. We then crossed over a brook, and stopped to observe a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Upon our arrival, the Marsh was relatively quiet. There were some Wood ducks and a Great blue heron, but the marsh is so beautiful that seeing any birds was just an added bonus.

Knight's Meadow Marsh

That being typed, I was thrilled that a Solitary sandpiper flew in and landed in front of us.

Solitary sandpiper

All in all, this was one of the most interesting bird walks I have experienced, with great weather, people, and, of course, the stars of the morning, the birds.