Lewis Farm Trip Report
4/30/25 – 18 species
A group of six birders met at Lewis Farm to say goodbye to April and hello to warblers. We got acquainted as we headed down the hill, binoculars at the ready. Our destination was the Billy Goat Gruff Bridge and the open area surrounding it. We stopped and looked towards the tops of the trees as the theme here was yellow: yellow warblers, common yellow throats, goldfinch. After a bit, we spotted several goldfinches in the tree tops and waited for the warblers to show themselves. A yellow warbler did comply and looked stunning in the sun. But the yellow throats were reclusive today on the other side of the multiflora rose. And as we headed around the corner, we saw a blue-winged warbler. He flitted around in the tree prompting some discussion about whether his wings appeared more blue or grey. We all agreed that his yellow face was quite stunning, complete with black eye liner.
We picked up our pace and traveled the red trail around the circumference of the property. Depending on which side of the trail we were on, we got a glimpse of a black and white warbler or a blue headed vireo posted up on a branch. Too bad you can’t look in opposite directions at once! We kept moving forward, hearing oven birds and pine warblers as we rounded the bend.
As we headed back, we were able to see the glamourous scarlet tanager as he flew from his vantage point in the trees. He took our breath away and we were glad to have his spotter, Hawkeye, in the group.
On our way back, we took the pine tree loop and one of the group recognized the call of a chestnut-sided warbler. We paused, and after some jockeying for position, we were able to get him in our sights and were glad to add him to our list.
We had seen both the downy and red bellied woodpeckers and were pleased to watch a pair of pileated woodpeckers, completing the woodpecker trifecta. They urged us on with their call and their panache as we headed up the hill. It was a great morning at Lewis Farm and the pileated woodpecker was the icing on the cake. But don’t tell the warblers that!
Abby Wolcott, Trip Leader
