A warbler in my overgrown blackberry bramble this morning (5/16/2012) has totally thrown me. I only got a brief look at it, but it sang persistently. The song had a Mourning Warbler feel, but not necessarily a Mourning Warbler pattern. It was also quite variable between repetitions. It had a rather House Wren like pattern to it, often beginning with a few quick sharp, clear notes instead of the Mourning's classic "churry churry"." It terminated with a variable jumble, or another series of quick notes, which was often followed by soft chattering resembling a White-eyed Vireo or catbird. The sharp clear notes in the song reminded me of a Wilson's Warbler. Unfortunately I did not have a recording device with me; after I retrieved one I only got a few faint distant songs. It also gave several chip notes that resembled a Mourning, though this is not a bird I get to hear chip more than a few times a year.
The glimpses of the bird only complicated matters. Its actions were very Mourning-like, hugging the thick brush near the ground. But my first glimpse was from the side, and I saw a yellowish face outlining a dark eye, no hint of a bib. I then briefly saw it from what I believe was face-on, and thought I might have seen some black on the chest, but primarily yellow.
So these are my two best guesses; I don;t know if either is within the realm of possibility:
A young male Mourning who is still in immature plumage this late in the year, and who has not yet crystalized his song. The variability of the song between repetitions might suggest this, IF they ever retain their immature plumage until mid-May of their second season.
A Mourning-something else hybrid. The something else might be Wilson's, though a quick google failed to turn up any references to those existing. Mourning-yellowthroat hybrids are documented.
Wish I could see the durn thing better!
Bill Pulliam
Hohenwald TN
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