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Posted by Rafael Galvez on 19:26:22 09/11/07
I too wanted to see both Waterthrush sp. in one field of view. I went to Matheson Hammock this morning, arriving at around 8:30; instead I got a different 2-of-a-kind set.
I'd noticed much action on the ground as I entered the park west of Old Cutler, entering through the north trail. Much Ovenbird action was evident from the start, but I could hear calls before pin-pointing birds. A few thinner 'tip' calls brought my attention to the floor, less than 20' from where I crouched. 2 Swainson's Warblers foraged methodically through the leaves. I'd never seen 2 Swainson's on the same field of view. The birds hardly minded their proximity to one another. A spectacular sight. Minutes later, one of the birds ceased to re-emerge, but the second individual lingered quite close to me for half an hour. Rarely does one get such an opportunity to sketch passerines in the field; I pulled out my pad and pencil, and I'm posting the resulting sketch.
A number of Ovenbirds were also around, as were many Redstarts. Two Worm-eating Warblers gave close looks (another favorite)!! At a larger opening near the end of the north trail, I found much action. Both Waterthrush species were there.
A Louisiana Waterthrush was singing very close to were I sat. This is the second time I've experience LOWA singing during migration (I was just mentioning this to M. Davis last week. Mid-August of 99 I stayed 2 weeks at Fakahatchee Strand, where for a few days at my camp a Louisiana Waterthrush would perch out in the open and sing for a few hours in the morning. I remember mentioning this to Dick Cunningham, who told me of a similar experience he'd had many years back.
The song I heard this morning was the typical: starting with 2 pairs of clear whistles, followed by notes that descend into a jumble and slurrs, into a lengthy knot of chips. I am aware that often the Swainson's Warbler song may be confused with LOWA, but it altogether lacks the descending trail of slurry notes at the end. No Swainson's were seen in the vicinity, whereas LOWA were there. I never actually got sight of the bird in the act of singing.
List of highlights: Swainson's Warbler (2), Worm-eating Warbler (2), Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush, Northern Waterthrush (4+), Northern Parula, American Redstart, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Black-whiskered Vireo, and more.
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