August 8th, 2005. West Quabbin, MA.
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Golden-winged Warbler Vermivora chrysoptera, adult male.
| This morning I headed for Gate 12
on the western side of the Quabbin Reservoir. The area had been quite
productive on my last visit on July 29th, but today I was spurred on by
a report of a Golden-winged Warbler from Saturday on the Massbird
listserve. I could hardly believe my luck. Quite literally the first
warbler that I came across when I walked down the track from the gate
was a stunning male Golden-winged! It wasn’t shy either and I was
treated to terrific views for about six minutes before it moved on.
The dull, muggy conditions were not the best for taking digital images through binoculars,
but I’ll take these, quite happily! Golden-winged Warblers are
apparently rare and declining in Western Massachusetts (Bird Finding
Guide to Western Massachusetts, 2003), and I consider myself extremely lucky to have encountered this one.
This spot was quite birdy, as it had been on July 29th, but on this
occasion Chesnut-sided Warblers (10+) featured much more prominently.
Also present, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1), Common Yellowthroat (6),
Ovenbird (3), Eastern Towhee (3), Indigo Bunting (7), and a Scarlet
Tanager (female with wing bars). I remained in the area for over an
hour but never saw the Golden-winged again.
A brief stop at Gate 15 produced;
Common Raven (1), Black-throated Green Warbler (4), and Red-eyed Vireo
(11+ including some young birds), but this day belongs to the
Golden-winged Warbler! Wow!!
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Taken using Canon Powershot A-95 through Leica 10x42 binoculars.
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