A lively warbler that hops among tree branches in search of insects, the male American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) is coal-black with vivid orange patches on the sides, wings, and tail. Females and immature males have more subdued yellow “flash patterns” on a gray background. These sweet-singing warblers nest in open woodlands across much of North America. Its habitat is often situated near water, and includes alder and willow thickets, like those across the ditch. Like the Painted Redstart and other “redstarts” of the Neotropics, the American Redstart flashes the bright patches in its tail and wings. This seems to startle insect prey and give the birds an opportunity to catch them.
The container is a large camouflaged jar with a logbook and a few trinkets. You will need to bring your own scribing instrument to sign the log. There is plenty of parking on the wide road shoulder. I would suggest starting at the north end and work south, since all the caches are on the west side of the road.