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
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