Fourteen people in jackets, with binoculars, smiling at the photographer, in snunshine along a paved path in front of forest.

words by Vinod Babu, COS board member and trip leader

A group of 13 birders arrived bright and early on Mother's Day morning to check out Linné Woods in peak migration season. Things were happening even as we arrived—we stepped out of our vehicles to be greeted by the songs of White-crowned Sparrows, Northern Parula and Song Sparrows. The layers of shrubs and trees visible from the northern edge of the parking lot often yield a diorama of songbirds as they fly in, perch, sing and depart; today was no exception and we took our time savoring each new arrival.

Small yellow bird with a brown cap, brown streaks on its breast, and brown wings, plus an orange patch under its dark eye and a short, pointed bill, perched on a twig. — Cape May Warbler. *Photo by Madhu Nukathoti, Linne Woods, May 11, 2025.*

We slowly made our way down to the stream-side trail; here we were immediately immersed in the songs and flashy plumage of Black-and-White Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, more parulas and a glowing male Blackburnian Warbler. As we picked our way through the bottom-land woods here, Northern Parulas were heard and seen with regularity and we added more warbler species to our count—American Redstart, Magnolia, Black-throated Green, Cape May, Palm and Yellow Warblers.

We also picked up the woodland thrushes—Veery, Swainson's Thrush and Wood Thrush with their fluting songs. Progress was slow, as we kept getting ensnared in little knots of warblers and vireos, often very close and low. Wood Ducks glittered in the sunlight filtering down to the stream; we were tickled to see one of the ducks perched on a wide branch up in the trees.

Small bright yellow bird with bluish-gray wings, dark eye and dark, pointed beak perched among green leaves. — Golden-winged Warbler. *Photo by Madhu Nukathoti, Linne Woods, May 11, 2025.*

As we approached Beckwith Road, where we planned to cross the stream and walk along its higher northern bank, we encountered a new obstacle to progress—a flock containing Blue-winged and Golden-winged Warblers, each singing its buzzy song and giving great looks. After taking in our fill of these, we made it to the north trail and walked through the higher oak savanna there, taking in more vireos and Golden- and Blue-winged Warblers as well as active Red-headed Woodpeckers.

By now we had seen and heard a few different Northern Waterthrush as well. We walked out of the savanna into the open field at the northern end of the preserve, where we looked at Barn Swallows and a small tree crowded with American Goldfinches, Red-winged Blackbirds and Yellow Warblers.

Large bird with bright red head and chin, black back and tail, white breast, and white band across its lower back, with a sturdy pointed bill, perched on top of a dead stump. — Red-headed Woodpecker. *Photo by Madhu Nukathoti, Linne Woods, May 11, 2025.*

As we completed the final part of the loop to reach the parking lot, we heard but were unable to locate a singing Eastern Phoebe. We waited a bit in the parking lot to make our species list, an even 70 species. A pair of House Finches obligingly landed in a cottonwood above our vehicles, which was our cue to end the trip. Overall, a successful morning of birding; we saw 21 species of warbler, a personal high count for me for a single walk. More importantly, we had really gotten good looks at most of the species and heard their song well!

Field Trip Recap: Linne Woods