I had a first for my birding experiences in Vermont.

Mid-morning I was watching what I thought were a few warblers foraging high in a row of trees along the road at the edge of intact forest.  It was difficult viewing conditions with the gusty cold north wind blowing the leaves and branches.  Then I noticed warblers just pouring out of the upper reaches of these trees, flying south (afore the wind) across a small pasture and diving into or over the forest on the other side of this opening.  I stood opened mouth and watched.  And then remembered to start counting.  53 individuals and about a minute later it was all over.  This was a low count as I didn’t include the first birds I saw.

I listened and looked for evidence of this flock later but couldn’t find them.

The only thing I could compare it to was standing on the dike at Higbee’s Beach in Cape May NJ, watching the reverse migration of warblers at dawn on a “big day” during fall migration.   

Awaiting my next awe,

Liz Lackey
Stowe, VT