4.25.2016
The Warbler Parade Begins!
Pheasant Branch Conservancy creek corridor
The woods along the creek corridor are greening up and more warblers are moving in. This morning my birding group found 6 warbler species, the best being a Yellow-throated Warbler. I've encountered this species only a few times in the past. In fact, the last one I saw at the conservancy was May of 2002. Other warblers this morning were Yellow-rumps, Palms, Orange-crowned, Nashville, and Black-throated Green.
Mayapple
Only a week ago the Mayapple were just little sprouts poking out through the leaves on the ground. With a synthesis of rain and sunshine over the past several days, they've opened their green umbrellas and their flowers won't take long to follow.
Palm Warbler
Common Violet
The White-throated Sparrows return en masse when the violets bloom...
White-throated Sparrow
Common Violet
Common Violet
The Belted Kingfisher searches for fish to eat along the creek corridor...
Belted Kingfisher
The Wood Ducks guard the nest box...
Wood Duck (male)
Wood Duck (female)
And more wildflowers...
Virginia Bluebell
Dutchman's Breeches
Yellow Trout Lily
Pheasant Branch, Dane, Wisconsin, US
Apr 24, 2016 6:30 AM - 10:30 AM
50 species
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Solitary Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Tree Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
House Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
All images © 2016 Mike McDowell