Warbler diversity increasing

A morning spent exploring the central part of Quabbin resulted in a variety of first of year warblers including a half dozen Black throated Green Warblers, a couple Yellow Warblers, a Blackburnian Warbler, a few Black and White Warblers, a continuing Black throated Blue Warbler (present in same area since April 23..very early) and lots of Pine and Yellow rumped plus a few Palms. A total of eight species of warbler is my high for the season so far. What will tomorrow bring?

Rufous capped Warbler

I will begin a review of all the species of warblers I have seen over the years by looking at one of my most recent additions. I managed to catch up with this guy in Florida Canyon in Arizona on March 31, 2010.

The Rufous capped Warbler had been present in Florida Canyon off and on for months. I really was hopeful to get a look at this warbler. We arrived in Florida Canyon mid morning and started up the canyon, having to jump across the stream in several areas. I went further upstream alone and had no luck. When I returned back down canyon I was encouraged to try again by the wife and luck was on my side the second time. I'm certainly glad I went back to try again.

Some early warblers

Spent the day atlasing for the fourth year of the Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas. Covered a couple of blocks in Central Quabbin. Started the morning off with a singing Black Throated Blue Warbler which is on the early side. Also good numbers of Yellow rumped, Pine and Palms. The Pines had several pairs together with at least one gathering nest material. Ended the day with a Black and White Warbler. Despite alot of effort I was unable to find a single waterthrush of either species despite some good habitat. All and all a nice day and added two new species for the season.

First four warbler day of the season.

Today was the first day I managed to get sightings of four warbler species in one day here in Massachusetts this season. The Pines and Palms have been fairly easy to run across lately and the Louisiana Waterthrushes have been calling from their typical spots for a week now but today was the first day I had Yellow rumped Warblers in the mix too. In a few weeks a four warbler day would be easy (and disappointing!) but its a nice step in migration.

A new blog

I decided to create a new blog to chronicle my pursuit of seeing and photographing the various species of wood warblers. They have always been my favorite bird species to try and photograph as they are usually so colorful and challenging to capture. I will add postings occasionally here both of new finds and photographs as well as some old sightings. Hopefully I can eventually see and photograph them all. I have so far seen 44 species out of the 54 possible in the U.S and Canada. There are a total of at least 120 species throughout the America's. Enjoy the blog as it develops.