Prothonotary - TODAY!!

Prothonotary Warbler in Central Park, 4/27/09
Photo by David Speiser- http://www.lilibirds.com
The report of a sighting of a Prothonotary Warbler, one of the most coveted birds of the spring, came in via eBirds this morning. Since this particular warbler tends to stay in a particular area for a longish period of time, [sometimes for more than a day], I am posting the rep-ort RIGHT NOW for any readers who might be able to drop everything and head for the park.

Monday Morning -- Prothonotary Warbler

I found the bird at 9:20 along the pathway just below Belvedere Castle along the south side of Turtle Pond. It was staying in the mid- to high-canopy and foraging very actively. - It preferred the very large, almost fully-leafed oaks on both sides of thepath. - I was able to stay with the bird and help others get on it through 10:15 am. - It would disappear for 10-15 minutes at a time and I believe was flying across the 79th St bypass and into the edge of the ramble. When it would reappear it would always first come into the trees between the path and the bypass.

- It is a male who is singing infrequently but very loudly and clearly. The song was how I first located the bird and is your best bet to getting on it, given the light and vegetation.

- On a more interesting note, it was also giving a quiet sputtering song at times that was interesting to listen to.

Good luck to others who try for it. On a wet and gray day, it was certainly a bright point.

Morgan Tingley, New York

PS from Marie : THANKS, Morgan!