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Sunday, May 16, 2010

Warbler Walk

We returned home from Philly & southern New Jersey late Friday to be greeted by additional summer residents who arrived while we were away. The House Wren was checking apartments for rent; the Ruby-throated Hummingbird was getting a fast food drink, and the Gray Catbird was singing in the bushes. While away, we also had a visit from a bear who trashed the old sunflower feeder that he trashed last Spring. Fortunately, I had put most feeders out of his reach before leaving.


The trouble with this time of year is that there is so much good birding to be had. Saturday morning I joined my neighbor for his Audubon Warbler Walk in the woods above the retreat farm. The morning yielded fourteen warbler species, including Tennessee Warbler which passes through the area and is seen for only a couple of days. (see list at end.)


Many were in the canopy, but most gave good, or reasonably good looks. Chestnut-sided Warbler was very cooperative for me ...





I have to include this photo of the American Robin carrying nesting material. Reminds me of the question I used to ask my kids: Wouldn't it be easier if you made two trips?



Finally, this Least Flycatcher, after confirming his identity with repeated "che-bek", posed briefly ...





Warblers seen (or heard): Tennessee, Black-and-White, Blackburnian, Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, Pine, Yellow-rumped, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Yellow, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, Overnbird, Louisiana Waterthrush


Good birding!

10 comments:

  1. Hi Chris,
    Superb, simply superb. I love the three first one but the last one is also beautiful! Nice to be able to see warblers again !

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  2. wondeful pictures Chris - i have been watching nesting birds too - many end up coming back for the half they dropped or cant fit in the opening of the nest box

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  3. Fourteen warbler species!!! And a Least Flycatcher!!

    That would be heaven for me. :)

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  4. Beautiful! now please send them north to the Ottawa Valley, we're waiting patiently.

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  5. Super image of the Chestnut-Sided in full voice. The Robin probably thought 'the more I carry the less time it will take to build'! FAB.

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  6. Gorgeous Chestnut-sided Warbler! It's not easy to get a clear shot of any warbler; this was a really nice one!

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  7. ...wonderful photos of the Chestnut-sided Warbler! I love seeing that bird in the leaves. Also...the flycatcher is beautiful. I love his little face. Sounds like a perfect bit of birding during migration.

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  8. Love the Chestnut-sided Warbler photo, one of my favorite Warbler species. Excellent photo series!

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  9. Chris,
    As always, gorgeous pictures! Everytime I even think of Chestnut-sided Warbler, I want to sing "pleased, pleased, pleased to methca"
    Happy migration!
    L&W

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  10. Chris, your photos are really beautiful. The last one of the Least Flycatcher is really interesting.

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