Hi All,

John and I have had a few e-mail exchanges as to the Nashville Warbler
that showed up at his feeder. He has done an excellent job of describing
his interesting visitor. And while it might seem like Nashville Warbler
would be a good candidate, note that he describes faint white wing bars
and large white patch under the rump. Both of these field marks along
with a longish tail wouldn't work all that well for Nashville Warbler.
John further described to me that the eye ring was not all that bright.
I think there is very little doubt that his bird was a warbler, but just
not a Nashville. Interesting to contemplate the other options for this
bird............

As far as Nashville Warbler status in the month of February and March in
western Washington, I am not aware of any records. There are a few
records in these months for eastern Washington though, as the one
mentioned by Ruth. Migrants do not arrive until mid-April at the
earliest. I would speculate any Nashville Warbler prior to April has
probably managed to amazingly winter-over.

Cheers and good birding,

Brad Waggoner
Bainbridge Island
mailto:wagtail at sounddsl.com


> The feeder is just a few feet outside my window and I recognized immediately
> that this was a bird that I had never seen on my suet feeder. I had lots of
> time to observe it at close renge, in many positions and in flight as well as
> perched on the feeder.
>
> Here are the particulars:
> Length: ~4 1/2 inches
> Tail: long and thin, notched, ~ 1 1/2"
> Beak: thin, yellow grey (dull yellow or orange)
> Coloring: Grey back
> Prominent unstreaked yellow breast, extending to the throat and fading to a
> large white patch under the rump
>
> Faint grey hood that is barely discernable
> White eye rings
> Small faint wing bars
> No yellow rump patch visible, either when perched or in flight
> The Nashville Warbler was the best match from my Sibleys. Others may have a
> different opinion after reading this description.