With my husband fishing on the James I decided to do some exploring here in
Giles. Parked on Little Meadow's fire road, and standing in front of a bank
searching for potential wildflowers for a birding festival field trip, I
was startled by something flopping out onto the road two feet in front of
me. A fledgling my birding brain announced, but no, it was an adult female
black and white warbler, flopping across the road on its side with its belly
exposed in my direction. For a split second, I assumed the bird was severely
injured. Then I realized my wildflower bank with its exposed roots and rocks
was the perfect nest site for a black and white warbler. I was so moved by
its bravery and devotion to its nestlings that I beat it back to my car
without searching for the nest. From there I was able to scope the bank with
my bins and see any number of potential nest sites. In the meantime, the
successful, fully recovered, female warbler was scouring a nearby tree for
food for her young. I have found black and white nests before and always the
female has lead me away fluttering and chipping in front of me. Other
warblers have done the same including the elusive LA waterthrush. Never have
I seen a warbler go to this extreme. Anyone else out there with this type of
warbler experience?
Peggy Opengari
Giles County
