September 16, 2023: Glacier Ridge Warbler Walk Report
It was hard to imagine being a neotropical migrant as I walked up to the meeting spot for this field trip. Just under 50 degrees with chilly dew and lifting fog, the crisp morning felt more apt for Crows and Blue Jays than little warblers. Indeed, Blue Jay sounds permeated the walk, their calls mingling with various Woodpecker species, all happy that this year seems to be a mast year for Red Oaks, meaning there is a glut of acorns. We spent most of our walk along the Red Oak trail at Glacier Ridge. The “best” part of this unassuming short trail on a chilly morning is a more open area of successional habitat that’s currently filled with Oaks, Cedar and Dogwoods 15-30 feet tall between two more mature forest stands. As the sun rose and warmed the insects on the forest edge smaller birds began hopping among the Oak leaves. While acorns weren’t food for many of them, almost all birds enjoy the over 400 species of protein-packed caterpillars that grow up on oaks!
The group watched Gray Catbirds in the treetops, and hunted for shy Eastern Towhees, until a small flock of songbirds flew into the scene. A very quick Magnolia and Bay-breasted Bay-breasted Warbler were seen by some of us. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet and some Common Yellowthroats provided slightly better views, and different ages of Field Sparrows gave us some close comparisons. During one stop a Pileated Woodpecker soared slowly and silently over the group. We got poor looks at first, but luckily the bird flew back over us in the opposite direction and gave us a great view in a tall Cottonwood. This huge stunning woodpecker was even a lifer for one trip participant!
The walk ended with an incredibly confiding pair: A female Common Yellowthroat snatching caterpillars off Hoary Vervain in the prairie, and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet that showed us how it makes up for its bland plumage with its animated personality.