City Park today: Orchard Orioles, Yellow Warbler

This morning I spent 1.5 hours in Couturie Forest on Harrison Avenue in City Park.

Four (or so) Orchard Orioles were moving about in the tall shade trees north of Couturie, along the cement path that runs north along the canal.  These birds do not nest in City Park, but do so as close as the outskirts of the city- a post-breeding wanderer.  One was still juiced enough with hormones- a one year old male- that it was singing, albeit somewhat feebly.

I also heard a sweet chip, and stopped to investigate, by the model airplane field in Couturie.  A few minutes of sleuthing, and a Yellow Warbler popped up.  This is my first bona fide migrant of the "fall"- the species does not nest anywhere closer than northern Arkansas.  It is, however, one of the first songbirds to show up each year, and end of July is typical.

Other than that, a Northern Flicker on the ground alowing a nice view, and three or so Brown Thrashers (City Park is their stronghold in urban New Orleans) were also nice additions.

Peter