ICBC Field Trip Saturday 5/14

This morning's field trip to Johnson County Heritage Trust properties was sidetracked to Hickory Hill Park due to the weather and the incredible numbers of warblers seen at Hickory Hill Park by the leader before the trip started.

The trees next to the North Pavilion were filled with warblers and other birds.  In addition to uncountable numbers of Tennessee Warblers, there were too many Nashvilles, Bay-breasteds, Cape Mays, Chestnut-sideds, Blackburnians, Magnolias, and Blackpolls to be counted.  Later the group heard and saw a Kentucky Warbler.

It is notable that the most numerous early season warber, the Yellow-rumped Warblers has left.

At one point the group hit an incredible flock of 6 male Scarlet Tanagers.  Accompanying the Scarlets was an odd tanager.  It was neither an adult male Scarlet nor Summer.  It did not appear to be a  female Scarlet or Summer. Some of the birders in today's group were quite experienced with Iowa's regular tanagers, Summer and Scarlet.  They were much less familiar with Western Tanager.  The group studied the bird with good views at rather close range and came to the tentative conclusion that it was a female Western Tanager.

The field description of the bird is as follows:  The posture and beak were like a tanager, but the a light (not drab), lime green-yellow head appeared lighter and much less drab than the field guide pictures of a Western Tanager (or any of the tanagers). The wings were darker than what we typically see on a female scarlet tanager and definitely had wings bars.

Since the trip did not make it to the JCHT properties, I should call your attention to to fine work the Johnson County Heritage Trust does.  The JCHT is committed to the preservation and enjoyment of natural areas in Johnson County.  They own 10 properties and hold a number of conservation easements.  Check out their

website.