Magnolia Warbler
Wow! What an amazing weekend of birding! The cold and sluggish April migration is now all but forgotten. It's been a long time since I've witnessed warbler activity on the scale of what's transpired this past week at the conservancy. I can't recall seeing so many Magnolia and Chestnut-sided Warblers. Best of all, most birds are foraging at eye-level for great views and photographs.
American Redstart
The overnight influx of American Redstarts, Tennessee Warblers, and Blackpoll Warblers tells me that we're just a little past peak for warbler migration. However, there's still a lot of good birding to be done over the next two weeks. Come on Connecticut! Although I don't think I'm going to see a Hooded Warbler at the conservancy this spring.
Chestnut-sided Warbler
The tree leaf-out is somewhat delayed, so even the birds that favor the canopy can be viewed. Songs and other vocalizations have also dramatically increased the past couple of days. As someone who primarily birds by ear, it's a lot easier for me to know what species are present. As I walk the trail, I listen for pockets of activity.
Black-throated Green Warbler
Northern Waterthrush
This is actually the same Northern Waterthrush (above and below). I think this is a good example that shows how changes in lighting can affect the bird's flank, belly, and breast color. The top bird appears more white, while the bottom photograph shows the expected yellowish tone.
Northern Waterthrush
Canada Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler (female)
Occasionally I'll observe birds bathing in the shallow parts of the creek. It typically starts with a single bird that found an appropriate spot to bathe. And then, as if nearby birds were watching, they fly down from the trees and take turns dunking their heads and flapping their wings in the water. It can be quite amusing to watch!
Indigo Bunting, Northern Parula, Nashville Warbler
Pheasant Branch, Dane, US-WI
May 11, 2014 5:30 AM - 9:00 AM
77 species
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Cooper's Hawk
Killdeer
Ring-billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Barred Owl
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Yellow-throated Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Bank Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
House Wren
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Swainson's Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Blue-winged Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
All images © 2014 Mike McDowell