Sunday, September 20, 2015

Warbler Invasion (14 Species) In My Yard 9/19/2015

   In the spring at my new house I was able to ID 13 warbler species from my deck.  At the time I couldn't help but think that the fall might be even better as birds trying to head southwest to Mexico and Central America tend to follow the coast of Lake Michigan rather than cross the lake.
    As September has progressed I had only seen 5 species and never more than 3 in a day.   In three hours today in my yard, I saw 14 warbler species.  They came in like lake-effect snow squalls in groups of 10 to 20.  They would feed on insects then move on.  Then an hour later another group would swoop in and the process would repeat. I was able to photograph 10 of the species.  

Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler


Northern Parula - new to yard list #83
  Blackpoll and Bay-breasted Warblers are sometimes hard to distinguish.  The Blackpoll is ID'd by the yellow feet.
Blackpoll Warbler
  This Bay-breasted was showing some of the 'bay' color on its sides.
Bay-breasted Warbler
Tennessee Warbler - #84


Nashville Warbler

Chestnut-sided Warbler


Magnolia Warbler


Black-throated Green Warbler
 Warblers not shown ; Cape May, American Redstart, Wilson's, and Black and White.

   If it's September the raptors will be migrating.
  
Red-tailed Hawk

Sharp-shinned Hawk

American Kestrel

Bald Eagle
  Birds aren't the only things migrating.
Black Saddlebags
  Other birds of note photographed today.
Pileated Woodpecker

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Red-Eyed Vireo

2 comments:

  1. Congratulations, Mark! I've only had 2 warblers so far this fall... :)

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  2. Thanks. I could get used to days like that.

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