Mourning Warbler

When the "southern loop," a major electrical transmission project, tore its slash across our southern Vermont hills, a few suggested that there would be benefit for grassland and transitional bird species. They may be correct.

This morning on Putney Mountain Road in Brookline, I stopped where the power lines cross the road. Alerted by a neighbor, I was looking for a Mourning Warbler, an uncommon and shy bird that skulks in thickets.

When the sun finally reached the top of the bushes, I heard him singing. The handsome male was vigorously defending territory. Previously, I have had mere glimpses of this bird. This morning he posed beautifully.

Good birding!