Date: 9/12/26 4:52 am From: Tom Nagel <000007c6b764b0cb-dmarc-request...> Subject: Cape May & Other Warblers, St. Joseph, Buchanan County
There is a stand of 15 to 20 planted bald cypress trees in a low spot that holds water after heavy rains that is located across Northeast Parkway from the storm water retention pond that is north of Corby Pond in Saint Joseph.
The cypress stand is located at GPS 39.786433, -94.829086 north of & between the NE Parkway & NW Parkway intersection. A small parking lot is 100 yards to the SW at the intersection of NE Parkway & NW Parkway at GPS39.785680, -94.829974. Clint Wiederholt originally discovered this site about a week ago.
During the past week, it has had much activity over an extended period (early on in hot weather but with cooler temps the last couple of days). At least sixteen species of warblers, including two different Cape May warblers, yellow-bellied flycatcher and philadelphia vireo (among others) have been found here.
This is likely due to an outbreak of looper/inch worm caterpillars in the bald cypress trees. During visits over the last 6 days, each day I've picked two to four dozen caterpillars off of my hat, face, neck and shoulders as I've walked through the cypress. Additional activity has occurred across the NE Parkway in and around the edges of a prairie planting on the NE side of the rain water retention basin (small cattail marsh). Many of the photos taken by several observers have shown various species of birds with the caterpillars in their mouths.
Activity occurs throughout the canopy from ground level to the tops of the trees offering great views even in the lower 25 feet of the canopy. Light rain this morning is supposed to dissipate by 9 a.m. with additional light rain forecast for tomorrow.
Tom Nagel Saint Joseph
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