The ML Birders traveled up to Princeton to visit the Rogers Refuge, which makes up a small portion of the Institute Woods. The weather was excellent with bright sun, a slight breeze, cooler temperatures and low humidity. We decided not to hike through the narrow woodland trails because the overnight rain made for sloppy going. Instead we worked the parking lot area (often the best birding!!) and birded the edges of the road leading into and through part of the refuge. A few steps away from our car in the lot we picked up several American Redstart warblers (females and probably immature males) flitting from branch to branch. We subsequently were able to ID four more warbler species (thanks Laurie) in the same area (Northern Parula, Black and White, Magnolia, Tennessee) as well as a Warbling Vireo. Red-winged Blackbirds were very common as well as Gray Catbirds. Surprise bird was a Double Crested Cormorant flying high over the refuge. We saw and/or heard a total of 22 species at the refuge.

For an interesting history of the Rogers Refuge, visit this page: http://princetonnaturenotes.blogspot.com/2018/08/rogers-refuge-and-importance-of.html