Daily Postcard: A fledgling Hooded Warbler perched on a branch last week along the reservoir road in Los Alamos. This is an amazing bird record, the first ever confirmed nesting of this species in New Mexico (the closest place where they normally nest is far eastern Texas). This exciting story has been unfolding since June 22 when the first male was detected. He continued to be found in the same area for over two weeks until July 10 when a female was spotted, gathering food and returning to the same bushes repeatedly. It was clear that she had been there all along, quiet and sneaky, building a nest and incubating eggs. She continued to be seen gathering food in the area for several more days, with the male singing nearby. On July 14 a second male was heard and seen in the vicinity, causing some temporary confusion, but he was soon gone. Finally, on July 22 this fledgling was found with the female, she was gathering food for it, and the male was still singing about 200 yards away. The last day any Hooded Warbler was seen in the area was July 25, so they are probably done and have moved on to other areas. Photo by Michael Smith

A female Hooded Warbler perched on a branch last week along the reservoir road is part of the first ever confirmed nesting of this species in New Mexico. Photo by Michael Smith

A male Hooded Warbler perched on a branch last week along the reservoir road is part of the first ever confirmed nesting of this species in New Mexico. Photo by Michael Smith