Mount-Royal Cemetery, May 2, 2021

Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia

Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius

Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca

Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis

Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina

Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe

Mourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa

Dan has written a book titled
“The new method for doing birding yoga whilst splayed on your car.”
He is available to give 2-hour lessons for small groups, in person or via Zoom.

  It’s that time of year when then first of year (FOY) birds will be coming in thick on each trip. Personal FOYs included four Blue-headed Vireos, as well as similar number of Winter Wrens, and Eastern Bluebirds, which were out and singing. Eastern Phoebes were also heard singing in most corners of the cem.

  At least four Black-and-white Warblers were feeding restlessly between the cannons and the lower Chinese section along the fence-line.

  As can be expected for the time of year, there were butt-loads of White-throated Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows, and Dark-eyed Juncos making the underbrush shimmy.

  Fox Sparrows seemed more numerous (12+) and widely dispersed than I’ve seen at the cems. Fox Sparrows — always cool.

  Maybe it’s just me, but it seems that the leaves/warblers ratio is way off this year — meaning there are not many warblers out yet, whereas the trees are already well underway with their leafing out. I see a May filled with much ‘warbler neck’ and mumbled curses.