Grand Isle

I made a last minute decision to visit Grand Isle, LA for a big birding day trip.  I had considered going to Venice, LA so I could also see the mouth of the mighty Mississippi River, but bird reports were scarce in that area.  I looked along the coast for other birding hot-spots that had more recent reports of returning migrants.  Grand Isle popped up right away with reports of Cerulean Warblers, Summer Tanagers, Blue Grosbeaks, and plenty more.  Without much time to worry about whether the weather would be good for seeing birds that had just flown across the Gulf of Mexico, we decided to just go for it since the reports were good.  After reaching the isle, I drove past a supermarket that was one of the landmarks to a popular birding location.  I decided to start there and with the good omen of a thumbs-up from a departing birder.  The first bird of the day was a Blue Grosbeak (a life bird) that was quickly followed up by a male Summer Tanager.  I was so excited by all of the bird sounds and potential that I hardly even stopped to enjoy these birds.  I quickly came across Worm-eating and Hooded Warblers, soon followed by a lifer Swainson's Warbler.  The wooded area on the island was purchased by the Nature Conservancy to preserve stopover habitat, and it really turned out to be quite a busy spot.  Prothonotary warblers were in full force, but I also found a Common Yellowthroat, Black-throated Green Warbler, and four different vireos.  The vireos included White-eyed, Blue-headed, Red-eyed, and Yellow-throated.

Male Summer Tangaer

Worm-eating Warbler

Swainson's Warbler

Hooded Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler, note the red cap is not part of the plumage, but likely from the nectar of a flower from which it was feeding on insects.

Louisiana Waterthrush

Swainson's Thrush

Black-throated Grey Warbler

 As the day continued I did some moving around on the island to several locations that other birders recommended.  I made my way to an American Redstart and some quick glances at a Painted Bunting.  After this I ran into a very kind local who I will refer to as "Mr. Overalls."  Mr. Overalls told me about birds he has been seeing and what to expect at this point in the year.  He was extremely friendly, talkative, and knowledgeable!  I should also mention that the locals were some of the most birder friendly and aware people that I have ever met.  Many had signs in their yards saying Birders Welcome, and many maintained feeders and good berry bushes.  I had been told that Orchard Orioles were being reported and I really wanted to find them.  After seeing large patches of Prothonotary Warblers on the ground, I also spotted several Blue Grosbeaks on the ground in the middle of a field as well.  Next, I decided to head to the beach to look for shorebirds, gulls, and terns.  I managed to see plenty of little Least Terns, along with some Sandwich Terns.  I left the beach with a few new species, but I was still obsessed with finding some Orchard Orioles!  After going back to the starting location and I managed to spot a Black-throated Gray Warbler, which was an extremely unexpected life bird (and very exciting!).  After trying to keep an eye on the Black-throated Gray for a fellow birder (I failed and he got away!), I headed back to look for Orchard Orioles.  This time, my search was successful and I managed to catch a glimpse of one male Orchard Oriole, and also got a better look at a male Painted Bunting.  Unfortunately, they were not very close, and the light wasn't cooperating for a photo.  I decided to do some searching in our starting location, yet again, to find reported Cerulean Warblers, but to no avail.  With daylight fading, I made my way to a shallow wetlands area to look for more shorebirds and some ducks.  I managed to find some Black-necked Stilts and Blue-winged Teal right from the car.  Then there was either a Gulf Coast Clapper Rail or a King Rail coming straight across the road and right in front of me for an amazing close up of a bird that usually skulks in the marsh grasses.  I also managed to find some American Golden Plovers, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, and plenty of Willet as the sun was setting.  As I turned to go back to the car, extremely happy with the day, a Roseate Spoonbill flew overhead, catching the light of a beautiful sunset that managed to make the bird look even more stunning.  At this point I didn't think my day could have been any better!  I decided to check the wetter area for some more duck species beyond the car, and as I walked I flushed a small dark bird from the drainage at the side of the road.  Initially, I thought of nothing more than a Sora, but after working for the winter with Yellow Rails, I started to realize that this bird was even smaller than the Yellow Rail.  It flew like a rail, was really dark all over, and had no field marks to speak of.  Then it hit me, it was a Black Rail!  I had flushed a Black Rail!  I had no choice but to dance around and cheer in the middle of the road.  The day had gotten even better (and one of the best days of birding I have ever had).  I managed to see 113 species and some life birds for a pretty great day of birding.

Least Tern

Clapper Rail (Gulf Coast)

Black-necked Stilt

Black-necked Stilt