Kent Co. Audubon's Warbler or Audubon's X Myrtle intergrade, 17 Feb

[Caleb Putnam]

All-

Bob Tarte of Lowell (Kent Co) is currently (17 Feb 08) hosting a Yellow-rumped Warbler which is either a pure Audubon's Warbler (my inclination) or an intergrade Audubon's Warbler X Myrtle Warbler.  I am currently seeking opinions from experts and will update my blog with their opinions.  The bird has been present since mid-December, and visits his feeders from zero to a handful of times each day.  There have been absences of over a week with no sightings at his house, but the bird appears to be on a winter territory in the nearby woodland corridor along the banks of the Grand River.  If you search for it, try the feeders first, but be prepared to search the woodland, preferably with iPod and speakers (and Audubon's Warbler chip notes) if it doesn't show. Bob has granted folks permission to visit, and his phone # is 616-897-9202 and his address 10696 Fulton (M-21), Lowell, MI. (Directions below).

I visited his property (and that to the east) today, and found the bird pretty much by itself about 1/4 mile east of Bob's house, where I got multiple photos.  Please visit my blog for photos, discussion of ID, sightings map, and other information:

www.aviantendencies.blogspot.com

Directions: Take I-96 to the Lowell exit and go north into downtown
Lowell. Turn left at M-21 (Fulton) and go about 3-4 miles west of town.
After crossing Cumberland, look for a blue house with a red barn on the
south (left) side of the street, address 10696 (difficult to see the
numbers near the front door frame). The suet feeder is directly behind the house, and there is a green lawn chair beneath it which is sometimes used. Bring rubber boots and be prepared for a difficult chase if it's not at the feeders. When I found it, it was very high in the
treetops, chipping only infrequently, and not closely associating with other passerines. It was only attracted down by use of an iPod with Audubon's
Warbler chip notes, to which is responded aggressively. Had I not had the iPod and speakers I certainly
would not have been able to get a look at this bird.

Good Birding,
Caleb

Caleb G Putnam 
Grand Rapids, MI
larus10 at hotmail.com
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