10 replies to this topic

[WatchNettle]

Okay, let me start off my saying I am VERY new to birding. That being said, this past Wednesday 9/19/12 I saw a warbler I simply could not identify. He was pretty brave so I was able to spend a good fifteen minutes observing him. All signs pointed to the Connecticut Warbler. The white around the eyes, no wing bars, yellow belly, whitish breast. But when I asked a few people they simply said no thats impossible. So just now I went to the eBird Rarity Map and I see someone has spotted one in North Conway, NH which is only twenty minutes north from me! I haven't seen the little guy since. Please tell me I may not be CRAZY!

Thank you. lol

[TheBillyPilgrim]

Anything's possible, especially during migration! I will say that Connecticut's are one of the scarcer NA warblers and tend to stay pretty hidden in brush (most of the time). Any more details on the marks you saw? Behavior and specific habitat where you sited it (including type of vegetation and height) could help, too! These guys are generally seen on or close to the ground, often in places with lots of shrubs or other thick ground color.

And you're not crazy, whatever it was

[WatchNettle]

He was very close to the ground. We cleared 12 acres last summer and let about 3 acres green in. So there are fallen trees and pines that have grown to about 6 or eight feet. There is a huge amount of ground cover from ferns and vines as well as tall grasses. There is also a low lying marshy area along the edge of the woods. When I first saw him he was on the ground but then moved to one of those small pines. I have been trying really hard to quickly noticed certain traits. Eyes, head, throat, feet, wing bars. I kept repeating his traits over and over as I opened up iBird. So... I am fairly sure.

Thanks for saying I'm not crazy! I'm jealous of your Life List! I only started Birding last April so I'm only at 47... 48 if you include the Connecticut Warbler.

[TheBillyPilgrim]

I only started Birding last April so I'm only at 47... 58 if you include the Connecticut Warbler.

You must have really liked that bird to count it 11 times!

[GreatHorn]

You must have really liked that bird to count it 11 times!

Well hey, your list, your rules! lol
Speaking of which, did you count Lawrence's? I probably would too if I saw one!

[JimUSNY]

one was just reported here in my area of NY.. that being said I have a hard time ID'ing them even if I get a photo, so really no way to prove anything without one.. thats why I only count birds I photo.. unless its an obvious no doubt bird

[WatchNettle]

Whooops! Typo on my part! I'm not really counting him as much as I want to... :-/

I was also told that you have to ID the bird in the field and that IDing from a photo even if it's your own doesn't count. Forgive me if I'm wrong. I am so new to this and most birders that I have met are not nice and have no sense of humor...

It is good to know however that others have spotted this guy where he "shouldn't" be. :-) I should trust my instincts!

[GreatHorn]

I was also told that you have to ID the bird in the field and that IDing from a photo even if it's your own doesn't count. Forgive me if I'm wrong. I am so new to this and most birders that I have met are not nice and have no sense of humor...

Most birders will count any bird they have taken a photo of. However, it is your list, so you can use whatever rules you'd like.

As for most birders not having a sense of humor...

What do you call two banana peels?

Spoiler

A pair of slippers!

[DaveT]

I'm from NH too. Do you get the Saturday edition of the Union Leader? They always have a Rare Bird Alert in there, and they said it was reported at the NH Audubon Dahl Sanctuary in N. Conway on Sept 16. I get the Saturday paper about half the times, and from what I remember Connecticut Warbler sightings have been listed quite a few times lately.

[TheBillyPilgrim]

Well hey, your list, your rules! lol
Speaking of which, did you count Lawrence's? I probably would too if I saw one!

Actually, I didn't. Still haven't figured out how to include it on my list haha.

[WatchNettle]

I'm from NH too. Do you get the Saturday edition of the Union Leader? They always have a Rare Bird Alert in there, and they said it was reported at the NH Audubon Dahl Sanctuary in N. Conway on Sept 16. I get the Saturday paper about half the times, and from what I remember Connecticut Warbler sightings have been listed quite a few times lately.

Thanks! I will check out the Union Leader for sure!

And thank you for all the advice/help everyone!