So many birds, so little time...

Must focus on the highlights of the past eight days, and there are many! Here are some of the best birds seen in their beautiful breeding plumage. The Blackburnian Warbler was still here this week. We can never get enough of this species, it's a gem.

5-1-20 Blackburnian Warbler 5-1-20 Blackburnian Warbler

There was a baby opossum out on its own, on two different days!

  5-1-20 Young Opossum

A Palm Warbler finally made it to the bubbler area, soon followed by a Chestnut-sided Warbler.

5-2-20 Palm Warbler 5-2-20 Chestnut-sided Warbler

The Golden-winged Warbler is always highly anticipated. This species is the most at-risk bird that we've seen here, with a Conservation Concern Score of 16 out of 20.

To read more about the State of North American Birds Assessment:  State of the Birds 2016

  5-2-20 Golden-winged Warbler

5-4-20 Golden-winged Warbler
 

Nashville Warblers are numerous, and many are shy, however this one didn't hesitate to do the 'Bubble Boogie'!

  5-2-20 Nashville Warbler 5-2-20 Nashville Warbler

The Warbling Vireo is a species more often heard than seen. They have been more numerous this past week and every time I hear one I think of my birding mentor, Vivian Liddell. She told me the mnemonics were, "If I sees ya, then I'll squeeze ya til ya SQUIRT!"

See if you agree: Warbling Vireo

  5-3-20 Warbling Vireo

Northern Parula is a warbler species, and just so gorgeous despite their small size. This one found an inchworm on a silken strand for a quick meal on the go. They will sing for their supper! Listen up:  Northern Parula

  5-3-20 Northern Parula 5-3-20 Northern Parula with inchworm

5-7-20 Northern Parula, singing
 

Another Summer Tanager was here this week, investigating the water. A young Baltimore Oriole was curious, too! Love hearing their chatter.

  5-3-20 Summer Tanager

5-3-20 Baltimore Oriole, first year male 5-3-20 Baltimore Oriole, first year male

Black-throated Green Warblers have been welcomed again, along with another Orange-crowned Warbler. 

5-4-20 Black-throated Green Warbler

5-5-20 Orange-crowned Warbler

The biggest surprise was a gorgeous Cape May Warbler on Wednesday, 5-6-20. Most years, less than 5 of these are recorded across the state! The last male we had was in 2009. Indeed, it was a rare thrill to see it.

5-6-20 Cape May Warbler! 5-6-20 Cape May Warbler!

We have been seeing numerous Indigo Buntings, in their deep blue feathering.

5-6-20 Indigo Bunting

Some warblers have been staying high in the canopy to feed, like this Blackpoll Warbler in our pondcypress (Taxodium ascendens). A near look-alike, the Black-and-white Warbler has been more willing to come to the bubbler area.

5-7-20 Blackpoll Warbler 5-7-20 Black-and-white Warbler

Today brought in our first Canada Warbler for the year. Not sure if it is the same bird, but I can almost always count on finding one in this patch of American Elms (Ulmus americana) at the end of the driveway.

5-8-20 FOY #101 Canada Warbler in American Elm (Ulmus americana)

This morning, a Scarlet Tanager was feeding in the white oaks (Quercus alba). The sun really highlighted its color.

5-8-20 Scarlet Tanager

A Bay-breasted Warbler is another striking beauty. First seen yesterday, it stayed somewhat high again today, feeding in various oak trees like this shingle oak (Quercus imbricaria).

5-8-20 Bay-breasted Warbler

Last but not least, this Common Yellowthroat found a green tidbit in the smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens).

5-8-20 Common Yellowthroat with insect

To view all 150+ photos from this week, begin here: First week of May

Enjoy!