[birding] swarms of Hermit Warblers

[William Proebsting]

For the migratory bird count, I followed the Oak Creek drainage in McDonald
Forest, up McCulloch Peak, then down Alder Creek and home on Oak Creek
Drive. This turned out to be an unbelievable experience on two levels.
First, was the cacophony of birds in McD Forest. Most of the year, this is a
pretty sedate hike, but this morning was overwhelming. Chickadees, Winter
Wrens, nuthatches, Wilson's, Orange-crowned, Black-throated Gray,
Pacific-slope,  Hermit Thrush etc., just creating an incredible racket.
Near the top of the Uproute Trail, I heard the first Hermit Warbler. At the
top of the trail, was a cluster of several. So the second level experience
was the presence of Hermit Warblers from there on up. From the upper end of
the Uproute Trail to the summit of McCulloch Peak, Hermit Warblers were
everywhere. From the top of the ridge to the summit, they were literally
lighting up the canopy. Oh, and by the way, there were a few Townsend's
Warblers, but Hermits ruled. I've never experienced anything like this.
Passing over McCulloch and heading down the other side, things quickly
quieted to more normal levels. This preserved my sanity.

Bill
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