Top Ten Lifers of 2009: Number 9

My number nine lifer of 2009 was the very secretive Swainson's Warbler. I had been keeping an eye on the bird boards for South Florida when I noticed a few reports of the warbler in Broward County at Evergreen Cemetery. I decided on my way south to visit a friend that I would stop by and give it a go. The only information I had was this warbler was very shy and was seen in the southeastern corner of the cemetery near the water.

I searched the cemetery from high and low and found many warblers such as Black-throated Blue, Prarie, Palm, Cape May, Black-and-white, and Blackpoll to name a few. As I made my way to the southeastern corner I met another birder that said he had struck out and didn't see the bird. I decided instead of rushing the bird head on I would loop around behind the area it was seen and slowly creep towards the bank. I kept close to the fence and then made my way down the bank when I saw a small warbler run behind a tree. I had previously seen an Ovenbird but something about this bird was different. I slowly peeked behind the tree and there was my lifer Swainson's Warbler in full glory. It was great to find the bird and I celebrated that night with some drinks.