There'll be Bluebirds over the White Graves and Warblers

Cape May Warbler Setophaga tigrina

Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea

American Goldfinch Spinus tristis

Philadelphia Vireo Vireo philadelphicus

Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis

Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis

  Surprisingly, no snow today, on a fresh day that saw the temperature barely struggle into double digits. Dan and I checked out the Mount Royal Cemetery in the late morning and early afternoon, and there were definitely some birdy moments. The area around the cannons was quite warblery again, with small numbers of American Redstart, Tennessee, Nashville, Cape May, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Green, Yellow-rumped, and Black-and-white Warblers seen cavorting in the treetops. Also in this area were three stunning Scarlet Tanagers (two males and one female), several Blue-headed Vireos, and a Great Crested Flycatcher. 

  In the raised area between C5 and F5, two male Eastern Bluebirds were spotted chasing each through the low trees, while a nearby female observed the fray. A Philadelphia Vireo was perched in the same area, and a Gray Catbird heard. Overhead, aside from a Common Raven and the ever-roving American crows and Turkey Vultures, we had a flyover Osprey and Great Blue Heron. I later ran into Jean-Sebastien Mayer again, and we compared notes and birded together for a while – he’s a good egg, that one.