ML623776986

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Later this afternoon, another Blackpoll was discovered today by Braxton L, but this time on the westside (HCP-West). Re-spotted this afternoon prior to my arrival by Peter N who was thankfully, still in the area. Thank you, guys for this beautiful warbler and congrats again, Peter, on your LIFER!! :)) Fall plumaged, presumably a non-breeding female/immature. Chunky warbler with greenish-yellow upperparts with dark streaking on the back; dark eyeline that cuts through light eye arcs; bold white wingbars contrasted against black wings; greenish-yellow secondaries and white tertial edges; droopy, long wings; black underwing; light yellow wash from its throat down to mid belly; subtle, fine streaking along the side of its neck, across the upper breast, and along its flanks; white vent and undertail coverts; extremely short, notched tail with large white undertail spots bordered by black; black uppertail with white edging; orange-yellow feet. 1435 to 1451 – spotted the only dude staring up into the trees, and I thought to myself “Score!! Another birder”. Luckily it was Peter N, who had just seen it in the same general vicinity where Braxton had it earlier in the day “(33.6974722, -118.0107500)” – coordinates by Braxton. As I was interrogating Peter (lol) about the Blackpoll’s activity, he pointed to the direction it was heading, and like clockwork, we saw it fly across the pedestrian path onto a Euc that was overlooking the southern part of Huntington Lake. Peter mentioned it was in the company of a Warbling Vireo, and there was indeed a secondary bird in the close vicinity, but I was too laser-focused on tracking the Blackpoll the entire time, periodically tripping on the roots in the area!! We tracked the active forager as it made its way through the various Euc canopies approx. ¾ up. It would catch little insects, bashing them against the branches, and wiping its bill before it went on its way to immediately find another one. These periodic eating sessions would unfortunately be behind thick foliage and branches, so photographing it was quite a challenge, but I would not be surprised if Peter captured amazing pics!! High single note chips whilst foraging and in flight. I can’t recall too well, which is a good learning lesson for me to be more observant, but I believe it wasn’t constantly sallying while foraging, but more so hopping between the levels of the branches. Its flight range was initially local, periodically flying north and south of the pathway. However, in our final visual, it flew approx. 300ft+ back east, heading toward the initial T section where Braxton initially found it.

Technical information

Model

DSC-RX10M4

ISO

320

Flash

Flash did not fire

Dimensions

2352 pixels x 2199 pixels

Original file size

698.7 KB