This warbler shouldn’t be here, but it is

The reports came in on the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Rare Bird Alert last week. Several people had spotted a Swainson’s Warbler at Hidden Valley Park in North Kansas City, about a 30 minute drive from our place. My brother Phil decided to go take a look but didn’t see or hear the bird. This first foray was a bust, but when he returned over the weekend, he found the quarry, at least by voice. Early Monday, he was able to get a photo good enough to clinch the identification.

Who cares?

Consider this: The Swainson’s Warbler is normally found in the southeastern U.S., its range barely extending into southern Missouri with rare instances in the central and eastern parts of the state. We’re in northwestern Missouri, making the Swainson’s Warbler a rarity, indeed. What’s more, we could have a nesting pair on our hands. Is this another instance of birds (and other animals, such a armadillos) moving north as the climate warms? Only time will tell.

Still don’t care? I can’t help you.

My wife Fran and I visited the park on late Sunday afternoon but had no luck. Turns out, we were in the wrong part. There’ s a nature preserves south of the developed park, and that’s where the warblers are. We figured this out as we drove away. A tiny sign told us so. But we were out of time. Our suspicions were confirmed by an email from Phil that evening explaining the situation. He apologized for being somewhat behind his time. We’ll find a way to forgive him.

No matter what else might be true, the Swainson’s Warbler is a great addition to our Big Year list. Now all we need are the common birds we’d expect to see in the summer, and we’ll quickly beat last year’s count.

Official Big Year species count: 177