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, Marinette County, WI, Jul 10, 2026

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

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

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

Golden winged 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

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.

Lots of fledglings around for the first week or so of July

Northern Yellow Warbler fledgling, Silvio Conte NWR- Fort River, Hadley, MA, Jul 2, 2026

Louisiana Waterthrush feeding fledgling, Mount Holyoke Range SP, Granby, MA, Jul 3, 2026

Blackburnian Warbler fledgling, Mount Holyoke Range SP, Granby, MA, Jul 3, 2026

Blackburnian Warbler fledgling, Mount Holyoke Range SP, Granby, MA, Jul 3, 2026

Chestnut sided Warbler fledgling, Quabbin Park, MA, Jul 4, 2026

Chestnut sided Warbler fledgling, Quabbin Park, MA, Jul 4, 2026

The first week of July has featured lots of fledgling warblers around and it has been great seeing them (as well as the hard working parents trying to keep them fed).  A bit bittersweet as it means the breeding season is rapidly moving along and then the prospect of cooler weather to follow.  However we are not there yet and I will continue to enjoy the warmth and birds here before taking a trip out west to track down more warblers (and others).

Ovenbird, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jul 2, 2026

I also added a new species at the water feature for the year with the appearance of an Ovenbird (warbler species #8 so far).

Hooded Warblers continue in Westfield

Hooded Warbler, Grace Robson State Wildlife Sanctuary, Westfield, MA, Jul 2, 2026

Hooded Warbler, Grace Robson State Wildlife Sanctuary, Westfield, MA, Jul 2, 2026

Northern Yellow Warbler fledgling, Silvio Conte NWR- Fort River, Hadley, MA, Jul 2, 2026

Common Yellowthroat during banding process, Silvio Conte NWR- Fort River, Hadley, MA, Jul 2, 2026

After having a fantastic day yesterday in Hampshire County with 19 of the somewhat regularly occurring species for July, I was up well before dawn again today to try to beat the heat of our ongoing heat wave and I decided to make the drive down to Westfield to check up on the small breeding colony of Hooded Warblers.  I arrived there before dawn and once I walked up to the breeding area I had first one male and then two and possibly a third singing both dawn songs and the typical song associated with the species.  I got a number of recordings and some blurry photos in the early light and added my 20th warbler species for the month.  I then worked my way back into Hampshire County and made a few stops to add new species for the month as the heat steadily increased.  I eventually made it to Silvio Conte NWR in Hadley and got to witness some of the ongoing MAPS banding program and today featured a number of Common Yellowthroats getting captured and banded.  I would have stayed longer but wanted to get back home to get Wilson a walk before the heat became too oppressive.

19 species of warblers to start off July

American Redstart, Quabbin Park, MA, Jul 1, 2026

Common Yellowthroat, Quabbin Gate 8, Pelham, MA, Jul 1, 2026

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Reed Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA, Jul 1, 2026

To start off July I decided to try to see how many warbler species I could find despite the heat.  I originally was going to include areas outside Hampshire County but given the heat I decided to stay within the county so I could cover enough areas to get a chance at the most species while also getting home early enough to take Wilson for a walk before it got brutally hot.  I started off looking for warblers in South Hadley and then worked my way to Pelham and finally Belchertown.  I was able to get all 19 of the somewhat expected species of warblers in the county despite the heat and the greatly reduced amount of song from a number of species and got them all before getting home around nine.

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.  

Cerulean Warblers confirmed breeding again at Quabbin Park

Cerulean Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 29, 2026

Cerulean Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 29, 2026

Cerulean Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 29, 2026

Cerulean Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 29, 2026

Cerulean Warbler carrying food, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 29, 2026

Cerulean Warbler carrying food, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 29, 2026

After several weeks of following the multiple Cerulean Warblers at Quabbin Park  I was finally able to confirm breeding again for this year.  The first Cerulean Warbler arrived on May 8th and by the next day I had three singing males and one was banded on May 12th (I believe this was original male as the area it started singing in is the same area it has stayed in throughout).  Multiple males continued through May and on June 11th I maxed out the number of singing males at four (with the only banded individual being the one banded this year).  I have been trying in vain to confirm breeding until today.  Following some birding earlier in the morning in Ware and Hardwick I made my way over to Quabbin Park around 8AM.  With somewhat limited time as I had to get some stuff done at home and get Wilson a walk before it got too hot I concentrated on trying to track down some of the Cerulean Warblers.  I have had just one very sporadically singing male during my previous two visits to the area in the past week and a few days ago I was able to get eyes on the banded male.  I walked the area and did not hear any Cerulean Warbler song at all and with calm conditions I'm sure I would have heard even a distantly singing individual.  As I was scanning the area where the banded male has consistently been I caught sight of a female Cerulean Warbler...my first in the park for the year.  I watched her forage for a bit and eventually she had a mouthful of food and disappeared to near the top of a large maple.  She repeated this behavior for at least the next thirty minutes I was watching her. I briefly caught sight of the banded male but I never saw him carrying food or approaching the probable nest location.  Despite trying many different angles to try to find the nest I had no luck but I'm quite certain there is a nest with nestlings in the tree in question.  I'll try again to get views of the nest tomorrow perhaps.  Last year I also confirmed breeding of the species with the sighting of a fledgling in early July and I highly suspect breeding has occurred in a few years previous to last years confirmation.

Northern Yellow Warbler, Hardwick, MA, Jun 29, 2026

Northern Yellow Warbler, Hardwick, MA, Jun 29, 2026

American Redstart, Hardwick, MA, Jun 29, 2026

American Redstart carrying food, Hardwick, MA, Jun 29, 2026

My stops prior to going to Quabbin Park found lots of evidence of breeding warblers with fledglings around and multiple adults of numerous species carrying food to feed nestlings or fledglings.