MacGillivray's Warbler in Dauphin County, PA

MacGillivray's Warbler

 

          Sharon and I made the hour and forty five minute drive to Highspire Reservoir in Dauphin County in search of the MacGillivray's Warbler found the day before. Upon our arrival we saw a small crowd of birders standing on the boardwalk, so we knew where the bird was being seen. As soon as we walked to the spot the warbler popped into view. We watched the bird for about fifteen minutes as it would perch on an open branch and start making its chip notes. We got good photos and two videos of the bird. It was a fine looking specimen and only the second MacGillivray's Warbler recorded in PA. The white split eye ring was very conspicuous. 

         This was a large warbler compared to a Yellowthroat. The bird had a whitish-gray throat patch bordered on the bottom with a broad grayish band. The bird appears to be a first year male. The tail was long and extended well beyond the yellow undertail coverts as compared to a Mourning Warbler.