Picture Of The Week 06-08-09

Where: Highland County, VA

Notes: Opportunities for service come in many different parts of life and all come with their own share of blessings. The image of this male bird was captured on a Audubon population survey in Highland County, Virginia. We were exploring a small part of the designated Allegheny Highland IBA (Important Bird Area). We were looking for this Neotropical migrant and its cousins where the large bramble thickets are bordered by deciduous forest and open fields in the high Allegheny altitude. After the last century of stability, this species is now going through population declines. This is perhaps due to its preferred spring habitat over-maturing, wintering habitat loss and/or invasion of its sister species the Blue-winged Warbler. When Golden-winged and Blue-winged interbreed they can produce fertile hybrids. This is quite unusual. One result of this hybridization is called the Brewster’s Warbler (left) which was also seen on our count. Trips like this never cease to amaze me with the power and grace that comes with participation and fellowship. Life is an adventure!