An American Redstart on Earth Day

Late on a warm sunny morning a small, fluttery coal-black bird with bright orange patches in its wings and tail, and on its sides, flashed like a butterfly among the deep-green leaves in oaks along the roadside – an American Redstart. As it moved in a fairy-like way, it sang a very high, sweet series of tweets that sounded as bright and airy as it looked.

Though I only saw one Redstart at a time, I think there were two or three more, deeper in the foliage. With them in the trees were several Yellow-rumped Warblers, singing their loose trills, one Red-eyed Vireo, and several Tufted Titmice.

A Red-shouldered Hawk soared high in a soft blue and white sky, crying kee-yer repeatedly.

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