I had just left the doors of my house when I received a huge birding surprise. A CONNECTICUT WARBLER was just sitting on the sidewalk. Right in front of me. I couldn't believe my eyes...
Unfortunately the bird was injured, and couldn't fly. I called my mom and thought maybe we should call the Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, a place that helps injured birds. Sadly, by the time my mom came outside to see the bird, it had already passed away. Poor guy. This was a huge surprise because this warbler, as well as the Cerulean Warbler, are the two rarest warblers that pass through Chicago during migration. And to have the first record off fall migration practically on my doorstep, is very very lucky. Out of the days in my birding life, this definitely makes top 5, maybe even top 3, although it would be nice if the bird was not injured. Life bird 665!