The Pursuit of Warblers: banded

Showing posts with label banded. Show all posts

Sunday, July 26, 2026

Short stop in Minnesota and Wisconsin nets Kirtland's Warbler, Golden winged Warbler and Connecticut Warbler

Kirtland's Warbler, Marinette County, WI, Jul 10, 2026

Kirtland's Warbler with leg bands, Marinette County, WI, Jul 10, 2026

Kirtland's Warbler, Marinette County, WI, Jul 10, 2026

Jack Pine habitat, Marinette County, WI, Jul 10, 2026

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Marinette County, WI, Jul 10, 2026

Nashville Warbler, Marinette County, WI, Jul 10, 2026

Mourning Warbler, Marinette County, WI, Jul 10, 2026

Golden winged Warbler, Marinette County, WI, Jul 10, 2026

Brewster's Warbler, Marinette County, WI, Jul 10, 2026

American Redstart, Marinette County, WI, Jul 10, 2026

Northern Waterthrush, Marinette County, WI, Jul 10, 2026

I just returned from a two week plus trip away from home. Although the trip was planned months ago we were not sure we would actually take the trip due to Wilson. Thankfully he was doing well enough for us to to take the trip. It was to be a three part trip with first part being a solo trip on my part to Minnesota and Wisconsin searching for the last three species of warblers I still needed to see for my big warbler year in the US. The three remaining species I needed to find were Kirtland’s Warbler, Golden winged Warbler and Connecticut Warbler (I would still need to see a couple species in Puerto Rico for a true big warbler year in the US but the three mentioned above were the last three in the continental US still needed for the year). After my short stay in Minnesota and Wisconsin I would take a flight to Anchorage to meet Sherri and begin the Alaska portion of the trip and then we would finish the trip with several days in Oregon (more on these portions of the trip in future posts). I flew out out of Hartford to Minneapolis late morning and arrived there in the early afternoon and after a bit of a hassle with the rental car I was finally on the road to make the nearly six hour drive across Wisconsin to my Airbnb on the Michigan border. I eventually made it to my lodging around 7:30pm and settled in as quick as I could, ate a small dinner and then was off to bed to try to sleep. Unfortunately the place I rented was a basement location and the noise from above was super annoying and sleep was in short supply…the place had gotten great reviews and somehow no one mentioned how loud the noise was from the homeowners on the floor above.

With little sleep I headed out before dawn to drive to a spot to the south about 40 minutes away to try to find my first target…the Kirtland’s Warbler. I would have a much better chance to catch up with a Kirtland’s Warbler in their core breeding range in the lower peninsula of Michigan but I really didn’t want another three plus hour drive each way to get there. After lots of messages with a few people ‘in the know’ as far as possible locations for the species in Wisconsin and possibly the upper peninsula of Michigan, I had what I hoped would be a productive plan to find one. The species came close to extinction just a few decades ago and after lots of effort to provide suitable habitat (they need Jack Pines at a height of five to fifteen or so for breeding locations) and control of Brown headed Cowbirds the species has rebounded and has now been taken off the endangered species list. Wisconsin and the upper peninsula of Michigan are at the periphery of the range and the area I would be checking has just a few nesting pairs and the locations are kept secret to protect the species. With the best chance seeming to be the few pairs in Wisconsin I picked that as my destination for the day. I arrived in one spot before sunrise and almost as soon as I arrived I heard one singing! I then spent the next hour or so trying to get looks, photos and recordings. I had at least two males and a female present in a roughly 60 acre pine lot with the perfect height trees present. One of the males had color bands and I’ll see what I can find out about the history of the individual. I also had a number of other warbler species present with Nashville Warblers being the most prevalent (a theme that continued all day). I moved around the area a bit over the next few hours and found another pair of a Kirtland’s Warblers as well as great selection of other species (warblers and others). With the Kirtland’s Warbler in the bag my next target was Golden winged Warbler. I checked a few good looking spots before eventually seeing one and by end of the morning I had seen several including adults carrying food and fledglings being fed. I even had a Brewster’s Warbler hybrid feeding typical looking Golden winged Warbler fledglings. By midday it was heating well up into the 80’s and after a walk in the area of my lodging I came back to get a shower and some rest. It was a super successful day with perfect weather with lots of sun and cool temps that warmed quickly once the sun came up. Two of three targets seen with lots of great looks at multiple individuals of both species and it would not have been possible without some great information from a number of people. Overall for the day I had a total of 14 species of warblers plus a hybrid.

Magnolia Warbler, Sax Zim Bog, MN, Jul 11, 2026

Mourning Warbler, Sax Zim Bog, MN, Jul 11, 2026

Blackburnian Warbler, Sax Zim Bog, MN, Jul 11, 2026

Chestnut sided Warbler, Sax Zim Bog, MN, Jul 11, 2026

Boreal habitat, Sax Zim bog, MN, Jul 11, 2026

After a very productive Friday with two targets down, it left me with just Connecticut Warbler to see for the year. Without the need to stay around Wisconsin for another day of searching I made the decision to try for a Connecticut Warbler (this species was not as critical for the trip as I certainly would have a chance to find one in the fall at home). With this in mind I was out the door even earlier on Saturday to make the long drive back to Minnesota with the destination being the Sax Zim bog area a few hours north of Minneapolis. A well known birding spot during the winter for owls and other birds of the north, the summer holds the chance of finding a number of species, including Connecticut Warbler. The downside of heading there was another long drive and to get there early enough to have a chance of getting birds while they are still singing meant another very early morning. Even getting up early I still did not get there until around 7AM (it’s a nearly five hour drive so tough to get there at first light in summer!). The habitat there certainly had the look and feel of the boreal forest. Not long after I arrived I heard a Connecticut Warbler sing in the distance and despite lots of effort on my part I never got eyes on the bird and I only heard it sing one more time and at that point it was even more distant. Although I would have loved to have gotten a look at the bird and perhaps some photos, I was very happy to finally hear this warbler sing on its breeding grounds. I have actually never heard the song in real life until that morning as the birds that migrate through in the fall don’t sing. There were a number of other warbler species around with Common Yellowthroat and Nashville Warbler the most common with lesser numbers of several other species. I then tried a few other areas to try to find another Connecticut Warbler before I returned to the original area before heading toward the airport just after noon. I had no luck with finding any others or seeing or hearing the original one again. Nonetheless the warbler became warbler species #51 and the last one I needed for the year in the continental US. This was also the one of only warbler species I never got a look at so far this year and with any luck I will get to see at least one in fall as they migrate through on their way to South America (the other species was MacGillivray's Warbler). Once I finished the three hour drive to Minneapolis I made a short visit to the nearby Fort Snelling State Park and despite the high heat I added a few warblers for the day. I had a total of 13 species of warblers for the day and a total of 18 species during my brief stay in Wisconsin and Minnesota with three of those new for the year…a brief but very productive visit.

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

June ends on a hot note

Prairie Warbler, Covey WMA, Belchertown, MA, Jun 28, 2026

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Reed Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA, Jun 28, 2026

Cerulean Warbler with leg bands, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 27, 2026

June came to an end today and with it the beginning of a multi day heat wave that will feature record setting temps in the upper 90's with high humidity that will continue into the weekend. It was a productive month for warblers with highlights including a Nashville Warbler a few days ago at Quabbin Park and confirmed breeding of Cerulean Warbler at Quabbin Park for another year. I ended the month with 24 species of warblers (with all but one of those being in Hampshire County...I did make a trip down to Hampden County late in the month for Hooded Warblers). July will bring a trip out west (assuming Wilson stays healthy) with a few days in Minnesota and Wisconsin before continuing on to Alaska and then to Oregon before coming home. I hope to get Kirtland's Warbler and Golden winged Warbler in Wisconsin (and perhaps Connecticut Warbler if I get the other two targets right away). Alaska will not feature any new warblers for the year but hopefully some photos opportunities of a few species and Oregon should offer better chances for photos of a couple species including MacGillivray's Warbler and Hermit Warbler.

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Cerulean Warbler nest at Skinner SP with cooperative breeding occurring

Cerulean Warbler female with nestlings, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, Jun 17, 2026

Cerulean Warbler nestlings, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, Jun 17, 2026

Cerulean Warbler male with leg bands and female with nestlings, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, Jun 17, 2026

Cerulean Warbler adult male without bands with nestlings, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, Jun 17, 2026

Cerulean Warbler nestlings, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, Jun 17, 2026

Worm eating Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, Jun 17, 2026

American Redstart carrying food, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, Jun 17, 2026

I got a text from Jack yesterday letting me know he found a Cerulean Warbler nest at Skinner State Park and the nestlings looked about ready to fledge. I was in the middle of a project at home yesterday so could not break free to make the trip over to see them. I hoped they would still be around this morning when I had some free time to make my way over to the park. Armed with the rough location of the nest I arrived at Skinner SP before sunrise and made the hike up the mountain. On the hike up I ran across a number of warblers with a few carrying food to unseen nestlings or fledglings. Once I arrived near the site of the nest I had a male carrying food and then disappearing into the trees toward the yet unseen nest. The male I saw appeared to have bands (white bands meaning it was the individual banded this year). As I continued my search for the nest Jack arrived and with his directions I was able to finally find the nest. Initially the nestlings stayed hunkered down low in the nest and it was tough to even see if there was anything in the nest but as the morning wore on the nestlings became more active and the adults increased their trips to the nest with food. We got to see the adult female arrive on multiple occasions and spend a little time around the nest before disappearing to get more food for the nestlings. We had the banded male show up briefly on multiple occasions and even had an unbanded adult male show up to assist with feeding the nestlings. Jack mentioned he observed this behavior yesterday too and from a bit of research this type of cooperative breeding is extremely rare (and perhaps unrecorded) with the species. Having a banded male around was the only thing that made this observation possible and the two males never were at the nest at the same time. Another great reason to color band individuals so you can see this behavior. After about an hour and a half of observing the nest and talking with Jack I headed back down and once again had a number of warblers. Jack stayed and after a few more hours all three nestlings fledged from the nest and started their lives outside the nest and out in the big world. Eventually they will make the long migration down to South America for the winter before making a return trip north to breed.

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Three Cerulean Warblers continue at Quabbin Park

Cerulean Warbler (male #1), Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 3, 2026

Cerulean Warbler with leg bands (male #2), Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 3, 2026

Cerulean Warbler (male #3), Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 3, 2026

I stuck close to home again today as I wanted to make sure I was home to watch Wilson as he continues to recover from surgery he had on Saturday. I started off before dawn at Quabbin Gate 5 before eventually moving on to Quabbin Park. After getting most of the expected warbler species over the previous two days I decided to concentrate on the Cerulean Warblers at Quabbin Park. I have consistently had at least one there since early May and many times have had two. I even had three singing males on a couple occasions. I have been working with some DCR biologists in keeping tabs on the Cerulean Warblers in the park and today was a great day with three singing males once again. Two of the individuals are not banded and if the biologist can fit it into their busy schedule they may try to capture and band the remaining unbanded birds. I will do a more in depth post on the Cerulean Warblers once the breeding season is over in regards to site fidelity and the return of previously banded birds.

Black and White Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 3, 2026

Ovenbird, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 3, 2026

There were other warblers around with all on breeding territory and I got photos of a few among a lucky 13 species of warblers.

Wilson sleeping, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jun 3, 2026

My boy is slowly recovering and is doing fairly well given his age...hopefully he will be up for a real walk tomorrow.

Saturday, March 7, 2026

Trip to southeast Arizona (February 21-March 2)

Black throated Gray Warbler, Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, AZ, Feb 22, 2026

Orange crowned Warbler, Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, AZ, Feb 22, 2026

Yellow rumped Warbler, Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, AZ, Feb 22, 2026

After a flight on Saturday the 21st from Texas into Tucson I picked up my rental car, got supplies and headed south to Amado where we rented an Airbnb. I arrived too late in the day to get much birding in so that would wait until Sunday. On Sunday I woke up early (as always) and headed north to begin my day at Sweetwater Wetlands. I needed to pick up Sherri midday in Tucson so wanted to bird locations up that way. I spent over two hours at the wetlands and during that time found four species of warblers with the following in descending order of abundance (Yellow rumped Warbler, Orange crowned Warbler, Common Yellowthroat and Black throated Gray Warbler). All the Yellow rumped Warblers were Audubon’s subspecies and all the Orange crowned Warblers were the more nearly solid diffuse yellow of the west. I made another stop before picking up Sherri without finding any new warbler species. I had no luck finding any other warblers species the rest of the day during multiple walks. Although it started cool it warmed nicely to near 80 with abundant sun....weather we would enjoy for the entire trip.

Townsend's Warbler, Santa Rita Lodge, Madera Canyon, AZ, Feb 23, 2026

Townsend's Warbler, Madera Canyon, AZ, Feb 23, 2026

On Monday, after a brief pre dawn visit to Montosa Canyon, we spent the morning in Madera Canyon arriving there around 7:45. It was a bit cool to start the day and a few areas that are normally hopping with birds were strangely quiet. Eventually it warmed up nicely and the birds responded somewhat but overall it seemed much quieter than when we were here last February. I really wanted to find a Painted Redstart for the year and I certainly looked and listened for one however it was not to be. All was not lost as I did find one new warbler for the year with some Townsend’s Warblers. Just two warbler species for the day with the second being Yellow rumped Warblers.

Rufous capped Warbler, Sycamore Canyon, Nogales, AZ, Feb 24, 2026

Rufous capped Warbler habitat, Sycamore Canyon, Nogales, AZ, Feb 24, 2026

Painted Redstart, Sycamore Canyon, Nogales, AZ, Feb 24, 2026

Canyon view, Sycamore Canyon, Nogales, AZ, Feb 24, 2026

Black throated Gray Warbler, Sycamore Canyon, Nogales, AZ, Feb 24, 2026

Yellow rumped Warblers 'Audubon's', Sycamore Canyon, Nogales, AZ, Feb 24, 2026

I made a long overdue trip down to Sycamore Canyon in the Pajarito Mountains west of Nogales, down near the Mexican border. The main goal for the long trip was to catch up with a pair of Rufous capped Warblers (the only ones currently known to be in the US). Although the species is fairly common south of the border they barely reach into the US in southern Arizona. I have seen the species one other time in the US and that was in Florida Canyon (near Madera Canyon) in 2010. I tried for one last year multiple times in Florida Canyon without any luck. I started the drive down at five and arrived there a little after 6:30 as it was getting light enough to see. The last several miles were over washboard roads with lots of curves and dips. I wanted to get there early before the heat of the day made it too hot and it certainly was not hot when I arrived with temps in the upper 30’s. The trail down the wash was tough to follow at times but not too bad. The scenery was absolutely spectacular and with each twist of the canyon more amazing views awaited. I eventually got down to the area where the Rufous capped Warblers had been reported. Not long after arriving I heard a Painted Redstart and eventually found two. I had hoped to see the species the previous day in Madera Canyon and missed them so picking them up for the day was nice and added a new warbler species for the year in the US. I then heard a chip note and then a couple songs from a Rufous capped Warbler and tried without success to see it. The bird then went quiet and I spent hours walking back and forth looking and listening. I had almost given up as it was getting to be late morning and the heat was rising and I still had to hike out when I once again heard some chipping and saw one and then two Rufous crowned Warblers working through the dense thickets along the stream. I got some decent photos and a recording so I was very happy. The sighting added another new warbler species for the year for me in the US, bringing that total to 28. In addition to the two previously mentioned warbler species I also had multiple Yellow rumped Warblers (all Audubon’s), an Orange crowned Warbler and a Black throated Gray Warbler. With the addition of a Common Yellowthroat during an afternoon walk at Canoa Ranch Conservation Park I totaled half a dozen species of warblers for the day. This would be my highest daily total of warblers for my time in Arizona.

Yellow rumped Warbler 'Audubon's', Patagonia Lake SP, Patagonia, AZ, Feb 25, 2026

Yellow rumped Warbler 'Audubon's', Paton's Center for Hummingbirds, Patagonia, AZ, Feb 25, 2026

Wednesday we decided to do a full loop of the Santa Rita Mountains heading south to start with the first destination being Patagonia Lake State Park. I was up well before dawn and made some minor cold symptoms so stayed close to the house. Around 7:15 we started our trip and once we arrived at Patagonia Lake State Park we stayed for three hours. There were a number of Yellow rumped Warblers and Orange crowned Warblers around as well as a single Common Yellowthroat. That would be all the species of warbler I would get for the day. After the lake it was on to Paton’s Center for Hummingbirds, then ice cream, cider and a brief stop to try for some unusual woodpeckers. We made it back to the house mid afternoon and enjoyed the cider while we sat outside and took in the warmth.

Black and White Warbler with leg band, Madera Canyon, AZ, Feb 26, 2026

Yellow rumped Warbler 'Audubon's', Madera Canyon, AZ, Feb 26, 2026

A good nights sleep and some cold meds had me feeling better on Thursday so I tried again to find some unusual woodpeckers at a pecan grove about thirty minutes to the north. I found one of the unusual species there (a lifer Lewis’s Woodpecker) and had just a single species of warbler with a few Yellow rumped Warblers. I returned to pick up Sherri a little after eight and then we headed up to Madera Canyon again. We arrived a little later than our previous trip up there a few days ago and the temps were much more tolerable to start. We took our first walk a little lower in the canyon and this proved to be a great choice as it produced a new warbler for this trip to Arizona with a banded Black and White Warbler seen in a small mixed flock. This was my second Black and White Warbler in Arizona (saw one in April of 2012 in the Tucson area). The species is fairly unusual in winter so glad to catch up with it in February. Further walking and some time spent at the feeders at Santa Rita Lodge produced a Painted Redstart and gave me my third warbler species for the day. I tried to find more without any luck.

Black throated Gray Warbler, Anza Trail, Tubac, AZ, Feb 27, 2026

Yellow rumped Warbler 'Audubon's', Anza Trail, Tubac, AZ, Feb 27, 2026

I was up early on Friday and went to Montosa Canyon for nocturnal species and then down south to Tubac before returning to pick up Sherri and heading back to Tubac to walk at the Anza Trail along the Santa Cruz River. The trail was mainly in the shade from the large cottonwoods along the river. Yellow rumped Warblers were the main feature of the day with singles of Orange crowned Warbler and Black throated Gray Warbler. It was the first day in the low 90’s for the trip and it got tough to be out in the sun by midday.

Black throated Gray Warbler, Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, AZ, Feb 28, 2026

Orange crowned Warbler, Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, AZ, Feb 28, 2026

Yellow rumped Warbler 'Audubon's', Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, AZ, Feb 28, 2026

After a productive morning run up to Madera Canyon for owls I came back and picked up Sherri and we headed north to Sweetwater Wetlands. The initial plan was Madera Canyon for the morning but that was changed. The wetlands were productive as always and there were certainly warblers around with a total of five species with the most numerous being Yellow rumped and Orange crowned Warblers. I did manage to add a new one for the year in Arizona with a single Northern Yellow Warbler, which became the 9th warbler species for this trip. The rest of the day after the wetlands involved a drive up part of Mt Lemmon, some scouting for rentals for next year and enjoying the sun and warmth.

Townsend's Warbler, Santa Rita Lodge, Madera Canyon, AZ, Mar 1, 2026

Yellow rumped Warbler 'Audubon's', Santa Rita Lodge, Madera Canyon, AZ, Mar 1, 2026

The last full day in Arizona was yet again sunny and eventually hot. After a brief check on Montosa Canyon before dawn we went up to Madera Canyon where we stayed until early afternoon and made a variety of walks as well as extended stationary time at Santa Rita Lodge. The trails were fairly quiet overall with the vast majority of warblers seen at Santa Rita Lodge with a total of three species including Painted Redstart, Townsend’s Warbler and Yellow rumped Warblers. The only warblers I saw away from the lodge were all Yellow rumped Warblers.

With just a little time free in the morning before catching a midday flight out of Tucson I made a few stops with the first down in Tubac looking in vain for a Rufous backed Robin. After packing up we took a walk at Canoa Ranch again. Just a couple species of warblers for my limited time outside for the day. I then took a flight home to the snow and cold (and Wilson).

Overall for the trip I had a total of nine species of warblers with three of those being new for the year (Townsend’s Warbler, Painted Redstart and Rufous capped Warbler). I didn’t add any new warbler species for Arizona on this trip (that total remains at 18 species). I now stand at 28 species of warbler in the US for the year.

The Pursuit of Warblers