[CT Birds] Merlin, beware!
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John Weeks via CTBirds
May 21, 2023, 3:41:07 PM5/21/23
to ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org
At Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve in Granby — Just saw a Blue-winged Warbler singing the second variant of the Golden-winged Warbler’s song on the David Sibley app. Be still, my beating heart.
John Weeks
North Granby
Sent from my iPhone
John Weeks
North Granby
Sent from my iPhone
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Brian Lombardo via CTBirds
May 21, 2023, 3:50:11 PM5/21/23
to John Weeks, ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org
We just had that exact scenario at Fisher Meadows. Merlin Sound ID said Golden-Winged Warbler seven times in a row. When we spotted the singer it was a Blue-winged. Also for what it's worth, Merlin ID'd Yellow as Magnolia several times during our visit.
Brian Lombardo
Hartford
Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>
________________________________
From: John Weeks via CTBirds <ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 3:39:34 PM
To: ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org <ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org>
Subject: [CT Birds] Merlin, beware!
At Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve in Granby — Just saw a Blue-winged Warbler singing the second variant of the Golden-winged Warbler’s song on the David Sibley app. Be still, my beating heart.
John Weeks
North Granby
Sent from my iPhone
CTBirds, a service of Connecticut Ornithological Association - Bringing birders together statewide. Please support COA: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ctbirding.org%2Fjoin-us%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7C5b6de0b011e94d85cf5908db5a333ac6%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638202948305309486%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=2PA%2BqNrd82TomT5SDGaglAf8gI4QPnZRrhgZ83e42F0%3D&reserved=0<https://www.ctbirding.org/join-us/>
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Brian Lombardo
Hartford
Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>
________________________________
From: John Weeks via CTBirds <ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 3:39:34 PM
To: ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org <ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org>
Subject: [CT Birds] Merlin, beware!
At Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve in Granby — Just saw a Blue-winged Warbler singing the second variant of the Golden-winged Warbler’s song on the David Sibley app. Be still, my beating heart.
John Weeks
North Granby
Sent from my iPhone
CTBirds is for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For list rules and subscription information visit: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ctbirding.org%2Fbirds-birding%2Fct-birds-email-list%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7C5b6de0b011e94d85cf5908db5a333ac6%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638202948305465708%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=VNO2h9qM%2BKGRb6I1JPLbGqckfZeRLge5f9k1sr9SlcI%3D&reserved=0<https://www.ctbirding.org/birds-birding/ct-birds-email-list/>
Katrina Stewart via CTBirds
May 21, 2023, 6:01:58 PM5/21/23
to ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org
Had one of those at Lake Saltonstall this morning only Merlin didn't pick
it up as either species and it could be heard loud and clear. It was
not easy to get binos on but I finally did!
-Katrina
--
Katrina L. Stewart
Katana Shelties est 2000
home of: U-GCh Katana's Reflections Of, NJP TKN CGC
U-Ch Katana's Blue Ain't My Colour. (Panda son)
Istoria Hawikuh
U-GCh Akadia Palisades, OA AXJ TKN CGC
it up as either species and it could be heard loud and clear. It was
not easy to get binos on but I finally did!
-Katrina
Katrina L. Stewart
Katana Shelties est 2000
home of: U-GCh Katana's Reflections Of, NJP TKN CGC
U-Ch Katana's Blue Ain't My Colour. (Panda son)
Istoria Hawikuh
U-GCh Akadia Palisades, OA AXJ TKN CGC
Brian Lombardo via CTBirds
May 21, 2023, 6:58:14 PM5/21/23
to Katrina Stewart, ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org
On the other hand, at one point Merlin kept reporting a Chesnut-sided warbler, repeatedly, well before we heard it ourselves. But taking Merlin's suggestion, we spent some time searching it out and eventually heard it and saw it. It's a helpful tool, I think, but just that.
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 6:00:33 PM
Cc: ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org <ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org>
Subject: [CT Birds] Re: Merlin, beware!
Had one of those at Lake Saltonstall this morning only Merlin didn't pick
it up as either species and it could be heard loud and clear. It was
not easy to get binos on but I finally did!
-Katrina
On Sun, May 21, 2023 at 3:40 PM John Weeks via CTBirds <
ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org> wrote:
> At Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve in Granby — Just saw a Blue-winged
> Warbler singing the second variant of the Golden-winged Warbler’s song on
> the David Sibley app. Be still, my beating heart.
>
> John Weeks
> North Granby
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> CTBirds, a service of Connecticut Ornithological Association - Bringing
> birders together statewide. Please support COA:
> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ctbirding.org%2Fjoin-us%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Cb15c6c8a3bee4cf8723908db5a46e826%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638203032808019049%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=M8UUY3aL9Ym%2FqjidDx2py7tEDZF4IMuGKBpQlYnjCPI%3D&reserved=0<https://www.ctbirding.org/join-us/>
--
Katrina L. Stewart
Katana Shelties est 2000
home of: U-GCh Katana's Reflections Of, NJP TKN CGC
U-Ch Katana's Blue Ain't My Colour. (Panda son)
Istoria Hawikuh
U-GCh Akadia Palisades, OA AXJ TKN CGC
CTBirds, a service of Connecticut Ornithological Association - Bringing birders together statewide. Please support COA: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ctbirding.org%2Fjoin-us%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Cb15c6c8a3bee4cf8723908db5a46e826%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638203032808019049%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=M8UUY3aL9Ym%2FqjidDx2py7tEDZF4IMuGKBpQlYnjCPI%3D&reserved=0<https://www.ctbirding.org/join-us/>
CTBirds is for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For list rules and subscription information visit: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ctbirding.org%2Fbirds-birding%2Fct-birds-email-list%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Cb15c6c8a3bee4cf8723908db5a46e826%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638203032808019049%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=I87dIdfGyUd08Hp4%2FAmQvLEQMtAB79Nv0RamE%2Bboaj4%3D&reserved=0<https://www.ctbirding.org/birds-birding/ct-birds-email-list/>
Brian Lombardo
Hartford
Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>
________________________________
From: Katrina Stewart via CTBirds <ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org>
Hartford
Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>
________________________________
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 6:00:33 PM
Cc: ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org <ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org>
Subject: [CT Birds] Re: Merlin, beware!
Had one of those at Lake Saltonstall this morning only Merlin didn't pick
it up as either species and it could be heard loud and clear. It was
not easy to get binos on but I finally did!
-Katrina
On Sun, May 21, 2023 at 3:40 PM John Weeks via CTBirds <
ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org> wrote:
> At Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve in Granby — Just saw a Blue-winged
> Warbler singing the second variant of the Golden-winged Warbler’s song on
> the David Sibley app. Be still, my beating heart.
>
> John Weeks
> North Granby
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> CTBirds, a service of Connecticut Ornithological Association - Bringing
> birders together statewide. Please support COA:
> CTBirds is for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For
> list rules and subscription information visit:
> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ctbirding.org%2Fbirds-birding%2Fct-birds-email-list%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Cb15c6c8a3bee4cf8723908db5a46e826%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638203032808019049%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=I87dIdfGyUd08Hp4%2FAmQvLEQMtAB79Nv0RamE%2Bboaj4%3D&reserved=0<https://www.ctbirding.org/birds-birding/ct-birds-email-list/>
> list rules and subscription information visit:
--
Katrina L. Stewart
Katana Shelties est 2000
home of: U-GCh Katana's Reflections Of, NJP TKN CGC
U-Ch Katana's Blue Ain't My Colour. (Panda son)
Istoria Hawikuh
U-GCh Akadia Palisades, OA AXJ TKN CGC
CTBirds is for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For list rules and subscription information visit: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ctbirding.org%2Fbirds-birding%2Fct-birds-email-list%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Cb15c6c8a3bee4cf8723908db5a46e826%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638203032808019049%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=I87dIdfGyUd08Hp4%2FAmQvLEQMtAB79Nv0RamE%2Bboaj4%3D&reserved=0<https://www.ctbirding.org/birds-birding/ct-birds-email-list/>
Andrew McGann via CTBirds
May 22, 2023, 1:03:46 PM5/22/23
to Brian Lombardo, ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org
Hey all,
To be clear, this is an issue with Golden-winged and Blue-winged Warblers, not with Merlin. The hybrid zone that rapidly shifted over the last 30 years has muddied the waters with what songs these species have learned. When I did Cornell “GOWAP” (Golden-winged Warbler Atlas Project) surveys using a tape (yes, an actual cassette tape) playback protocol across a swath of Pennsylvania in 2004, we had to visually confirm every GWWA/BWWA or hybrid, and both species responded to each other’s songs.
Don’t expect Merlin to differentiate BWWA vs GWWA when the birds themselves don’t.
It’s similar to the Black-capped Chickadee and Carolina Chickadee identification issue, except those species are also much more difficult to separate visually, especially where the populations are in contact and there is a significant population of hybrids. Those birds are only definitively identified by DNA!
There is a conservative “slash” entry (not the “X”, which means hybrid) in eBird for this very reason. Narrowing an identification down to 2 species is pretty good, so don’t hesitate to reach for BWWA/GWWA if you don’t get a good look at it.
Just be thankful that the chickadee hybrid zone isn’t changing as fast as the Winged Warblers.
Good birding,
Andy McGann
Sent from my iPhone
--
Andy McGann
New Haven, CT
> On May 21, 2023, at 4:58 PM, Brian Lombardo via CTBirds <ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org> wrote:
>
> On the other hand, at one point Merlin kept reporting a Chesnut-sided warbler, repeatedly, well before we heard it ourselves. But taking Merlin's suggestion, we spent some time searching it out and eventually heard it and saw it. It's a helpful tool, I think, but just that.
To be clear, this is an issue with Golden-winged and Blue-winged Warblers, not with Merlin. The hybrid zone that rapidly shifted over the last 30 years has muddied the waters with what songs these species have learned. When I did Cornell “GOWAP” (Golden-winged Warbler Atlas Project) surveys using a tape (yes, an actual cassette tape) playback protocol across a swath of Pennsylvania in 2004, we had to visually confirm every GWWA/BWWA or hybrid, and both species responded to each other’s songs.
Don’t expect Merlin to differentiate BWWA vs GWWA when the birds themselves don’t.
It’s similar to the Black-capped Chickadee and Carolina Chickadee identification issue, except those species are also much more difficult to separate visually, especially where the populations are in contact and there is a significant population of hybrids. Those birds are only definitively identified by DNA!
There is a conservative “slash” entry (not the “X”, which means hybrid) in eBird for this very reason. Narrowing an identification down to 2 species is pretty good, so don’t hesitate to reach for BWWA/GWWA if you don’t get a good look at it.
Just be thankful that the chickadee hybrid zone isn’t changing as fast as the Winged Warblers.
Good birding,
Andy McGann
Sent from my iPhone
--
Andy McGann
New Haven, CT
> On May 21, 2023, at 4:58 PM, Brian Lombardo via CTBirds <ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org> wrote:
>
> On the other hand, at one point Merlin kept reporting a Chesnut-sided warbler, repeatedly, well before we heard it ourselves. But taking Merlin's suggestion, we spent some time searching it out and eventually heard it and saw it. It's a helpful tool, I think, but just that.
Gregory Hanisek via CTBirds
May 22, 2023, 1:15:48 PM5/22/23
to Andrew McGann, Brian Lombardo, ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org
Thanks Andy. For anyone interested, a Google search for Winged-warblers in
Vermont should lead to an article on the subject that contains a link to a
protocol VT established for reporting the various forms in eBird. This is
based on VT still having a viable Golden-winged population along L
Champlain (not sure how fast this is changing; this document is a few years
old).
Greg Hanisek
Waterbury
Vermont should lead to an article on the subject that contains a link to a
protocol VT established for reporting the various forms in eBird. This is
based on VT still having a viable Golden-winged population along L
Champlain (not sure how fast this is changing; this document is a few years
old).
Greg Hanisek
Waterbury
Andrew McGann via CTBirds
May 28, 2026, 7:31:44 PMMay 28
to Gregory Hanisek, Brian Lombardo, ctb...@lists.ctbirding.org
D’Edcjyj
B
S me I’ll m km I’ll
Salut Greg,
Merci pour l'info. C'est intéressant de voir comment le Vermont gère ces
protocoles de signalement dans eBird, surtout avec leur population de
Parulines à ailes dorées. Je vais aller jeter un œil à cet article pour
voir comment leurs directives ont évolué.
Merci encore pour le partage.
Bonne observation,
Andy McGann
On Monexe Dr « 6E, May 22, 2023 at 1:15 PM Gregory Hanisek <
>
ex
> population along L Champlain (dt tnot surequires e how fast this is
> changing; this document ris a few years old).
B
S me I’ll m km I’ll
Salut Greg,
Merci pour l'info. C'est intéressant de voir comment le Vermont gère ces
protocoles de signalement dans eBird, surtout avec leur population de
Parulines à ailes dorées. Je vais aller jeter un œil à cet article pour
voir comment leurs directives ont évolué.
Merci encore pour le partage.
Bonne observation,
Andy McGann
On Monexe Dr « 6E, May 22, 2023 at 1:15 PM Gregory Hanisek <
ctg...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Thanks Andy. For anyone interested, a Google search for Winged-warblers in
> Vermont should lead to an article on the subject that contains a link to a
> protocol VT established for reporting the various forms in eBird. This is
> based on VT still having a viable Golden-winged fr’dur
> Thanks Andy. For anyone interested, a Google search for Winged-warblers in
> Vermont should lead to an article on the subject that contains a link to a
> protocol VT established for reporting the various forms in eBird. This is
>
ex
> population along L Champlain (dt tnot surequires e how fast this is
> changing; this document ris a few years old).
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