Vermont Rare Bird Reports 2022

Two other observers were present, but they did not submit their sightings to eBird.org and I cannot remember their names unfortunately.

Intermitent light rain, overcast. 10 - 20 mph south wind was largely blocked by the terrain of Thompson's Point. Temperature was in the low 40s.

Vortex Diamondback 8X42 Binoculars

None. This was a life bird for me!

Willow and other shoreline shrubs that I was unfamiliar with transitioned to a predominantly eastern white-cedar covered shoreline with some white ash, eastern hemlock, Ostrya viginiana, various red oak and maple species further up on the point. The bird was primarily observed in the shoreline shrubs, willows and red maples, with the primary observation being in a small white ash tree adjacent to the dense stands of eastern white cedars. A small Black-capped Chickadee flock was present at the time along with Tufted Titmice, and Golden-crowned Kinglets.

This bird was actively observed gleaning insects around the tips of and undersides of branches. It was focused completely on feeding and was seemingly unaffected by the presence of other observers.

Powerful "tip" calls repeated in rapid succession whilst the bird was continuing in it's activities. Fellow observers equated it to being similar to the calls of a Yellow-rumped Warbler, but I personally found greater similarity between the calls of this bird and an agitated American Redstart or a higher-pitched and slightly more emphatic Yellow Warbler.

Unfortunately, I did not make any detailed descriptions of the bird as I knew that this particular bird had been previously reported and very well documented by photograph by numerous observers (see John Peckham's amazing photos in this checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S123252926). This is why I was very focused on getting an audio recording of the bird and less worried about actively viewing and studying the physical features of the bird. Apologies for the lack of detail in some descriptions of the bird. I am trying to recall what I noted about the bird in the field. I was exploring the trails behind a kind homeowner's camp, when I heard my name called out by one of the other birders that was present. I then ran back to the boat launch and met up with two observers who had eyes on the previously inactive Yellow-throated Warbler by the boat launch area. The bird was actively feeding in shrubs near the shore. The bright yellow throat contrasting nicely with the black streaks on the white flanks and the black facial pattern stood out immediately. The coloration of the birds wings and mantle closely resembled the expected coloration of a bright adult male Myrtle Yellow-rumped Warbler. The bird then flew within just a few feet of me and began feeding in a white ash tree directly above me! I ran to my car after getting a very satisfying audio recording of the bird (Merlin Sound ID did not suggest an identification) to retrieve my camera, but once I returned, the bird had flown off.

A plump and seemingly robust Setophaga warbler. Shape and size reminiscent of a longer-billed yellow-rumped warbler.

White supercilium, downward angled black mask and facial pattern.

Bill was long and fairly robust for a warbler. I did not get great views of the feet, although the bird was directly above me for a time.

A bluish gray coloration. Similar to adult male MYWA.

A dark bluish gray coloration. Similar to adult male MYWA.

Bluish gray to black with white wingbars. Similar to adult male MYWA.

Throat was a brilliant bright yellow coloration, flanks had crisp black streaks on a white background. Belly was white along with the undertail coverts. The undertail itself I remember having two "lobed" gray outer (the feathers that appear at the edges of the tail when viewed from beneath) rectrices with white rectrices in the middle.

The undertail itself I remember having two slightly "lobed" gray outer (the feathers that appear at the edges of the tail when viewed from beneath) rectrices with white rectrices in the middle. Notched tail.

Yellow-rumped Warbler was perhaps the most similar bird species in appearance to this bird, but was easily ruled out by the Bright yellow throat that extended further into the breast than would be expected for Audubon's Warbler even. The center of the breast and belly lacked any black markings at all, which also helps to eliminate Audubon's Warbler from the list of other possible species. Pine Warbler was eliminated based on the black facial pattern and the isolation of any yellowish coloration to the throat and upper breast and the lack of any olive drab coloration. Blackburnian Warbler could also be eliminated based on this isolation of yellow coloration to the breast and throat with only black and white markings on the face/auriculars. Common Yellowthroat easily eliminated by, among MANY other field marks, the coloration of the undertail and undertail coverts.

Age and sex were not determined. Many, many, other observers made checklists reporting this bird and have additional media to supplement my observations.