Chestnut-sided Warbler, Santee Lakes

Birded Santee Lakes Sunday morning 9/23/18.  A Chestnut-sided Warbler was seen on the east side of the campground at about the latitude of the northern end of Lake 6.  The bird had no chestnut coloring, so likely a first Fall female.  All gray and white below with no patterns or markings, white undertail coverts, 2 prominent wingbars with yellowish/greenish tint, faint eye ring and green upperparts. Posed a few times with tail up and wings down.  Heard a few chips, somewhat like a Yellow Warbler.  The bird was first seen in a mulberry tree that overhangs the main road on the east side of the park and worked its way into the campground to the west.  Also saw a Least Bittern on an island in Lake 5.

Jeremiah Stock
Santee, CA
jscls@…
Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports