Orange-crowned Warbler!

Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata

Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata

Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata

Black-throated Green Warbler Setophaga virens

Chestnut-sided Warbler Setophaga pensylvanica

Black-throated Blue Warbler Setophaga caerulescens

male Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus

female Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus

  Taking advantage of summery hot weather, Dan and I popped over to the Mount Royal Cemetery today in the early afternoon. The lovely tree-lined slopes near the cannons were heaving with warblers, including a lifer for both of us. A gorgeous (if relatively drab) Orange-crowned Warbler foraged casually in the treetops, at one point carefully harvesting pre-caught flies from a spider's web. High-five!
  Other warblers present were Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Yellow-rumped, Black-and-White, and Chestnut-sided. I managed to get a few terribly-lit, silhouetted record shots, but who cares - this is just an avian scrapbook, scribbled down to help fortify my addled memory. I'm hoping to witness some more warbler movement tomorrow morning before the afternoon rains roll in.
  Further cemetery highlights included a sharp-looking pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, several Blue-headed Vireos, and an intense scrap between a nest-building Sharp-shinned Hawk and an American Crow. The crow made several noisy passes at the stoic hawk, until all hell broke loose when the SSH turned the tables and made two rapid and aerobatic runs at the crow, talons flashing.
  I guess I should sign up to E-bird, and get E-birding. Seems like the thing to do here. I'll get on it.
  Oh, I spotted my first Chimney Swifts of the year yesterday, twittering over NDG.