Frustration and Kenilworth
Very disappointing afternoon of birding at Kenilworth Park. I don't know what my problem is so far this year but I'm having very little luck finding migrants. Part of it has to do with the fact that I'm still learning songs. Part of it has to do with the fact that it was late and many of the birds had gone quiet or to the nest. It's extremely frustrating, though, sitting in your office on a beautiful day and reading emails about local birders (who somehow get to go birding every single day!) seeing 20+ warbler species just down the road from me.
Sorry for the rant, but I rushed home and started the drive to Kenilworth only to get caught in Nationals traffic. When I finally got there I was hoping for at least one or the other of the Blue Grosbeaks or Vesper Sparrows that have recently been reported there. Yet, no Grosbeaks singing from the trees. No sparrows of any kind, anywhere. No Waterthrush at the banks of the river. No Hooded Warblers in the underbrush. Most frustrating of all: twice did I trace a singing bird to a tree but was unable to find it in the foliage and then watch it zoom off, unidentified, into the sun. Of the few birds I did manage to identify (all of about 4), only a pair of Common Yellowthroat were new to me this season.
BUT. I love it. And I'll be back.
