Yellow Warbler family

Yellow Warbler, Covey WMA




A walk this morning at Covey WMA produced a few nice sightings including a family group of Yellow Warblers and a Louisiana Waterthrush singing a partial song over and over. The Yellow Warblers will likely be moving out over the next few weeks as they head south for the winter. They are usually one of the first breeding warblers to make the move. The birds today were quite difficult to get any good pictures of but I managed some marginal ones.

Chestnut sided Warbler fledgling

Chestnut sided Warbler, juvenile, Quabbin

Among the eleven species of warbler I came across today was a recently fledged Chestnut sided Warbler being fed by the adult male. It is always interesting to watch the nearly continuous feeding of the rapidly growing young during this time of year.

the season has gotten quiet

The amount of warbler song has dropped considerably the last week or so. Where I use to hear Ovenbirds and American Redstarts they are no longer singing at all. The birds are obviously still around but have gotten quiet. A few species continue to sing a bit such as Black throated Green and Black throated Blue plus the occasional Magnolia and Yellow. The Common Yellowthroats are still somewhat vocal but even they have trailed off. Soon the end of summer and the beginning of fall will bring the mixed species flocks that are so much fun to work through.

Yellow-rumped Warbler fledglings

Yellow-rumped Warbler fledgling, Quabbin Gate 16, July 12, 2010


On a brief walk down Gate 16 road I came across this family group of recently fledged Yellow-rumped Warblers. The adults were madly feeding the at least five fledglings. The fledglings were quite active as they moved around the pines along the shore looking for food and begging for more attention from the adults. It does appear the adults were quite successful in fledgling a good number of young.

Yellow-rumped Warbler fledgling, Quabbin Gate 16, July 12, 2010