Golden-winged Warbler
Nunes Ranch, Point Reyes, Marin County, California
27 September 2002
Joseph Morlan

This morning while viewing Red-eyed Vireo, Palm Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, etc. at the Point Reyes Lighthouse, Mike Bumgardner told the assembled birders that he, Dennis Braddy, and David Nelson had just seen a male Golden-winged Warbler at the bottom of the row of trees at the Nunes Ranch. Most of us opted to try for the bird, but it was a no-show when we arrived. However towards mid-day it apparently reappeared in the same area and Dennis Braddy heroically came to get me and other birders at the parking lot for the Fish Docks.

When I arrived, Ed Greaves and Ed Harper were taking photos of the bird at very close range. It was sitting quietly in the weeds under the last shrub at the end of the row of trees. Here I was afforded superb views of the Golden-winged Warbler as it sat quietly. Soon it flew up to the one of the cypress trees where it disappeared. However other people saw it again in mid-afternoon. Nevertheless, I believe many birders missed this bird today.

The following brief description is based on notes made immediately after viewing the bird:

A small warbler, with solid plain gray back and white underparts. It had a black triangular shaped bib on its throat separated by white from the narrower triangular black eye patches which imparted a masked effect. A narrow band of white separated the upper border of the eye patches from the gray and yellow of the crown and forehead. The forehead was a rich golden-yellow extending to the top of the crown where it blended with the gray nape. The yellow had a greenish cast where it blended with the gray.

The wings were gray with broad yellow tips of the median coverts and extensively yellow greater coverts forming a bright yellow patch on the folded wing. The tail was gray from above. The bill was thin and black. Neither the underside of the tail, nor the feet were seen.