Berkeley Backyard Bird Blog: Hermit Warbler (Rare Visitor) Glimpsed in High Treetops in Tilden Park

San Pablo Reservoir and Mount Diablo from Nimitz Way

I'm on a routine outing

to a place I've been to countless times.

Inspiring view north from Inspiration Point

The overlook bench at

Inspiration Point / Tilden Regional Park.

Nimitz Way is a great get-away!

About a mile in from the parking area, it's always worth a stop and short breather to take in the expansive beauty of the Berkeley Hills and beyond to Mount Diablo and Rocky Ridge.

White-crowned Sparrow posing nicely

I commonly see Red-tailed Hawks and Vultures soaring above; sprightly Juncos and Chestnut-backed Chickadees on the make; and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Spotted Towhees, Golden-crowned Sparrows, and Blue Jays spilling over into abutting EBMUD watershed lands.

Vulture lifting off

I've also seen one California Quail, one American Kestrel, three Tree Swallows, one California Thrasher, and the occasional Townsend Warbler. A relatively busy thoroughfare for thousands of hikers, strollers and group outings, the bench overlook area is not an ideal locale to hope to see anything too, too exotic.

A back-end glimpse, high in treetop, of a Hermit Warbler

But today, flying into my life, is my very first Hermit Warbler! Although at the moment I have no idea that I'm looking at a Hermit Warbler. I just know the flighty little bird is one beautiful little bird I've never laid eyes on before.

Fox Sparrow staring out from hiding spot in brush

And I'm excited as a little boy in a magic shop!

The Berkeley Hills

At first I suspect it's another Wilson's Warbler, the precious, tiny, black-pated, brilliant yellow bird making the rounds this time of year in the park's forested and riparian areas along Wildcat Creek.

Wilson's Warbler peeking out for me

I'm surprised when one flies onto a branch, since I've never seen one here. I'm afforded a good look and recognize him and his high-pitched CHIT! CHIT! CHIT! instantly, before he disappears into thick vegetation.

Hermit Warbler
(https://www.flickr.com/photos/37699157@N00, CC BY 2.0
<https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

Moments later – maybe they're in concert – I espy subtle movement in higher branches and zoom in quickly before it's too late. Luckily, for a few jubilant seconds, I'm privy to witness the pretty bird's striking black-throat and all yellow head, but I manage only a poor shot of him looking up from behind.

Perky Oak Titmouse

Perhaps an expert bird IDer could peg it from this, but the rest of you will just have to trust me that I saw who I saw, in the accompanying photo.

Song Sparrow after a little bath

A fortuitous moment

with a very elusive,

never before spotted bird.

Red-tail Hawk on the wing

The feeling can't be explained.

California Quail sittin' purty

Maybe like hitting a big scratch ticket or something.

California Thrasher

Deemed "common" but shy by Wikipedia standards, around these parts a Hermit Warbler is considered a "rare" visitor, so I'm marking this one down on my slowly expanding Life List as a confirmed new sighting.