Among the Last Migrants – Scarlet Tanager and Black-throated Green Warbler
On a warm sunny morning, a female Scarlet Tanager sat deep in the middle of a large dogwood tree, all but hidden among the drooping, smoky-red leaves, placidly eating one red berry after another. I only saw her because the movement of a Northern Mockingbird in the same dogwood drew my attention to the spot. But then, I could see her fairly well for several minutes, and watched as she ate berries, not moving from that choice position in the tree. She was deep, dull olive-yellow all over, with wings slightly darker, and a stout, pointed bill. A thin, faint ring around the dark eye gave her a wide-eyed, watchful look.
Later in the day, early afternoon, a Black-throated Green Warbler among the leaves of white oaks in the back yard was much harder to see. Never still for a moment, it took longer to be sure about – a small bird, moving quickly, gleaning insects from the leaves. Watching it was like putting together the pieces of a puzzle – a solid black throat that spread down in a bib; a very white belly, bold black-streaked sides, and flashes of a bright yellow face with olive markings.