WARBLERS – WOW!

We plenty of very good looks at Ovenbirds today. Bashakill State WMA, 510/14.
Karen Miller and I had plenty of very good looks at Ovenbirds today. Bashakill State WMA, 5/10/14.

Some of you might know that warblers are not my favorite type of birding. I know this is sacrilege, everyone loves the warblers! The truth is I struggle with them, but once I get into it I find it very enjoyable. There was a lot of bird movement in the past two days and I got out looking mainly for warblers on both days. On Friday evening I made it out to Pochuk Mountain State Forest, a new spot for me – thanks to Rob Stone for the heads up. It was a gray, misty evening and between the poor light and the birds being up very high, I struggled. In the end I was pretty happy to have seen and identified 10 species of warbler, though most of my identifying came after the fact, looking through bird guides and my photos from the day.

Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Black-throated Green Warbler

A Magnolia Warbler overhead at the Nature Trail, Bashakill State WMA 5/10/14.
A Magnolia Warbler overhead at the Nature Trail, Bashakill State WMA 5/10/14.
This Palm Warbler was extremely confiding and also nice enough to pose with a nice foreground. Bashakill State WMA, 5/1
This Palm Warbler was extremely confiding and also nice enough to pose with a nice foreground. Bashakill State WMA, 5/10/14.

Then, early this morning I met Karen Miller out at the Bashakill State Wildlife Management Area. We knew that the Stop Sign Trail and the Orchard would be packed with birders (It was! When I passed by, I saw busloads of birders! No joke!). So, we decided to bird the Nature Trail and what a great decision that was – the place was LOADED with birds and we had it basically all to ourselves. We ran into 4 other birders while we were out there, all folks we knew. In addition to being extremely birdy, the nature trail lends itself to better photos because there seems to be more light available and fewer obstacles to shoot through. It was a tremendous morning of birding with birds at every turn, really it was incredible. The highlight for me was seeing 3 WILSON’S WARBLERS. Here’s my list of warblers from the morning:

One of three WILSON'S WARBLERS we had at the Bashakill State WMA, 5/8/14.
One of three WILSON’S WARBLERS we had at the Bashakill State WMA, 5/8/14.

 

Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Magnolia Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler

Female Black-throated Blue  Warbler at Bashakill State WMA, 5/10/14.
Female Black-throated Blue Warbler at Bashakill State WMA, 5/10/14.
Male Black-throated Blue Warbler at the Bashakill State WMA, 5/10/14.
Male Black-throated Blue Warbler at the Bashakill State WMA, 5/10/14.
Canada Warbler on the Nature Trail at the Bashakill, 5/10/14.
Canada Warbler on the Nature Trail at the Bashakill, 5/10/14.
I identified this Black-throated Green Warbler by ear before we located it. Bashakill State WMA, 5/10/14.
I identified this Black-throated Green Warbler by ear before we located it, which made me happy. Bashakill State WMA, 5/10/14.

3 thoughts on “WARBLERS – WOW!”

  1. These are BEAUTIFUL, Matt
    I’m on call this weekend, but took 3 days off to bird during the week next week
    M_W_F so hopefully I will not have missed some more opportunities.

    Wilma

  2. These are awesome photos, as always. I’m not sure that I saw the Black-throated Green, but your Black-throated Blue is beautiful.

  3. Thanks Karen and Wilma! And thanks Karen for a great morning – we get so many more birds with the two of us together!

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