Yates Mill and Mid Pines Road

                                                                                                        Since it has been years since I have been to Yates Mill and I actually FORGOT MY CAMERA the last time, it was definitely time to head back. Word on the street was that there were a lot of warblers seen here in the last week. Before those temperatures creep higher as we head toward summer, now seemed the opportune time to hit the trail.

I was immediately greeted by this friendly Eastern Wood Pee Wee.

Nice Phoebe posing for me.

I had never photographed an Indigo Bunting before
so I was glad to get a willing subject this time.

Here's a lifer for me although not a great shot: Common Yellowthroat.

I really toiled over the ID of this one, but the total lack or wingbars or any really distinguishing
features and the fact that it was in the same area seconds before makes me think
that it is the female Common Yellowthroat.

Now look at this! I assumed this was only the ubiquitous Carolina Wren, but it's lack of spots on the wings and unusual posture on the tree trunk plus the fact that fellow birder Alan told me that these were in the area, lead me to believe this is a Swainson's Warbler! What a lucky find! Lifer!

Here's the Carolina Wren just for contrast and comparison.
They are very similar, but have some key differences.
Also, I heard the Swainson's song on the trail.

A fellow birder who I met on the trail suggested I head up the road to Mid Pines Road which is  literally only 3 tenths of a mile away, so why not?

Eastern Meadowlark alerted me to his presence
with his pretty song.

These Eastern Kingbirds were everywhere. I thought they were
Tree Swallows, but the white on the tail gives them away.

A couple of pretty girls met me near the road between
pastures of the Ag Lands at NC State. 😆