Cerulean Warbler still there....

The Cerulean Warbler seems to have survived the severe storms of the middle of last week and he continues to sing vigorously at Quabbin Park. Hopefully he will be able to attract a mate soon.

Cerulean Warbler back at Quabbin Park

Cerulean Warbler, Quabbin Park, May 22, 2010


After a several year absence I finally found a singing Cerulean Warbler at Quabbin Park. They previously bred in the area I found this one this morning. Perhaps this one will be able to attract a mate and reestablish these warblers as breeders back at this location. Sorry for the low quality shot but he just would not come down very low at all.

Black Throated Green Warbler

Black throated Green Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH, May 9,2010

I will begin a review of some of the warblers I have seen including those on my recent trip to Ohio. There were several Black thoated Green Warblers that were quite accommodating and one in particular that came so close I could no longer focus the camera or binoculars on him. He was literally at an arm length away as he fed along the boardwalk at Magee Marsh.

Trip to Ohio for warblers

Cape May Warbler, Magee Marsh




I just arrived back after a quick trip out to northwestern Ohio. It was a great trip despite the less than ideal weather conditions. I visited the famous Magee Marsh area as well as a couple other nearby areas such as Ottawa NWR and Metzger Marsh. I ended with 26 species of warblers. It looks like I missed a really big day out there by one day but I'm still happy with my trip. Highlights included Mourning, Golden winged, Cape May, Bay Breasted, Wilson's, Canada, Blackburnian, etc. I will post photos over the next few weeks. I post one for now.

Kentucky Warbler

Kentucky Warbler (photo taken last year in Amherst)

Despite the poor weather with bouts of rain and thunder I managed a great sighting at the house. In among a nice selection of warbler feeding in the oaks I had a Kentucky Warbler. He only stayed for a brief time, calling a few times before he moved on. I was not able to get a photo today so I'm including one taken last year of one in Amherst. You never know what will show up in the yard. I managed a total of 13 species of warbler in the yard today bringing my overall yard total of warbler species to 22.

Migration continues to pick up

I spent the day conducting work on the Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas. The number and variety of warblers continues to increase by the day. As a sample here is the variety I had in Central Quabbin this morning.

Blue-winged Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 3
Northern Parula 4
Yellow Warbler 23 carrying nest material
Chestnut-sided Warbler 44
Magnolia Warbler 8
Black-throated Blue Warbler 24
Yellow-rumped Warbler 8
Black-throated Green Warbler 35
Blackburnian Warbler 9
Pine Warbler 17 making nest
Prairie Warbler 1
Cerulean Warbler 1 in same area they have bred for last few years
Black-and-white Warbler 18
American Redstart 43
Ovenbird 97
Northern Waterthrush 1
Common Yellowthroat 89

Big influx overnight

The change in weather was very productive in regards to warbler numbers and diversity. Many first of the season sightings for me today. I covered the same areas as yesterday but ended up with a vast increase in numbers. I ended the day with a total of 17 species including the following: Nashville Warbler,Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Pine Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Palm Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush and Common Yellowthroat. A very nice way to start May.