Date: 5/4/25 12:14 pm From: jhershey2 via groups.io <hersheyj...> Subject: [hmbirds] Vischer Ferry Migrants, Common Gallinule
I spent about 2 hours this morning at Vischer Ferry Preserve where spring migration is in high gear. The best bird of the morning for me was the Common Gallinule in the back pond in the same general area where I heard the Sora 2 days ago. The Gallinule was in sight moving around on the vegetation and calling almost continuously for minutes with its weak, raspy vocalization. I had 6 first-of-year birds (including the Gallinule): Solitary Sandpiper, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Cedar Waxwing, Magnolia Warbler, and American Redstart. It's amazing how a bird which is a delight to see for the first time for the year less than a week ago (for example, Yellow Warbler) has already become abundant and even "ho-hum". But, a few of the other migrants this morning: Pied-billed Grebe, Eastern Kingbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, House Wren, Blue-headed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Wood Thrush, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Ovenbird, Swamp Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole. "Merlin" suggested a few other good birds as well but I wasn't convinced by the replay. For example, 3 faint blips might have been a Swainson's Thrush but I left it off the list.
