End of year wrap up

Blackpoll Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH

Prothonotary Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH

Bay-breasted Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH

Lucy's Warbler, Saguaro NP, AZ

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's), Sweetwater Wetlands, AZ

Blue-winged Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA

Prairie Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA

Ovenbird, Quabbin, MA

Mourning Warbler, Quabbin, MA

I took a total of six trips out of the area this year which was a new high for me.  The trips included the following:  Florida in January, Arizona in April, Ohio in May, California in September, Texas in November and Costa Rica in December.  Each of these trips had there own highlights that I cover in greater detail on my other blog http://quabbinbirdingandbeyond.blogspot.com/  .  As far as warblers were concerned this year I managed to end the year with a total of 47 species of wood warblers. 

Gray-crowned Yellowthroat, Rio Magnolia Lodge, Costa Rica

Of the 47 species seen this year I added five which I had never seen before including Kirtland Warbler in Michigan which I found on a day trip during my Ohio trip.  Although it was a long drive and I didn’t get any photos of the birds it was nice to see and hear them on their breeding grounds.  I also added Virginia's Warbler and Grace's Warbler in Arizona as well as Gray-crowned Yellowthroat and Buff-rumped Warbler in Costa Rica. 

Hooded Warbler, Quabbin Gate 12, MA

In western Massachusetts I had a total of 29 species.  I totalled 19 species in the yard this year. The most interesting local warblers were a Hooded Warbler that stayed in the same area at Gate 12 at Quabbin for several weeks this spring and summer.  According to another person doing research in the same area there were several Hooded Warblers around with both males and females.  Perhaps they were breeding here?  Another interesting warbler was a Blue-winged Warbler singing a Golden-winged Warbler song in breeding habitat on the Prescott Peninsula.  Despite the golden-winged song it appeared to be a 'pure' Blue-winged Warbler but there certainly was some genetic mixing somewhere along the line.  Overall a great year with the highest number yet of wood warblers in a single year.  I have now seen a total of 49 species of wood warbler in my life and hope to add more next year.

More Ohio warblers

Blackpoll Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH, May 2011
American Redstart, Magee Marsh, OH, May 2011

Ovenbird, Magee Marsh, OH, May 2011
Prothonotary Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH, May 2011

A few more pictures from my May trip to Ohio. Enjoy.

Ohio warblers and totals so far this year

Connecticut Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH, May 13, 2011
Mourning Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH, May 13, 2011

Yellow-breasted Chat, Sportman's Migratory Bird Center, OH, May 12, 2011

Canada Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH, May 11, 2011

As we come to the four week of May the vast majority of warblers have made their appearance. My recent trip to Ohio added eleven new warbler species to the year list and one to my life list. As of today I have seen 44 species of wood warblers for the year and managed photos of most of them. Here are some from my trip to Ohio.

Ohio warblers

Bay breasted Warbler, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, OH, May 11, 2011

Prothonotary Warbler, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, OH, May 11, 2011

I just returned from a week long trip to Ohio. Another great trip despite some tough weather at the end. The temperatures dropped to the 50's with wind, low clouds and drizzle. The birds had a tough time during this weather but they seemed to survive in the shelter of the woods along the lake shore and gave arm length looks of themselves. I spent most of my time in northwest Ohio with a day trip up to Michigan to find the Kirtland's Warbler. The trip yielded a total of 32 warbler species with one a life bird...the Kirtland's Warbler. I will be posting photos from the trip over the next few weeks as I find spare time.

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.