Part One: 9/16-9/23/22

As usual, when the birds really start coming in, I get behind! Here are some highlights from the third week of September.

9-16-22 Ruby-throated Hummingbird immature 9-16-22 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 9-19-22 Ruby-throated Hummingbird immature

We're still seeing Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, but it seems the males have moved on. The second photo was taken on 9/16/22 and a male  was seen the next day. The immature birds investigate everything, bubbler included!

9=18-22 Carolina Chickadee with caterpillar on Virginia Creeper

All the birds are looking for food, like this Carolina Chickadee that found a caterpillar on leaves of Virginia Creeper(Parthenocissus quinquefolia).

9-18-22 Swainson's Thrushes 9-20-22 House Wren 9-20-22 American Redstart 9-21-22 Black-throated Green Warbler

Swainson's Thrushes were at the bubbler often one day. A House Wren found a little corner of the basin to drink from and splash in. Perhaps, it felt some protection from that stick overhead? American Redstarts and Black-throated Green Warblers have been seen on numerous days.

  9-22-22 Cooper's Hawk immature

On the first full day of Fall, 9/22/22, this immature Cooper's Hawk took in the sights and sounds at the bubbler, ensuring that NO birds would dare come around. It finally left and the brave little birds came back. Five warbler species came in that day.

9-22-22 Magnolia Warbler 9-22-22 Northern Parula 9-22-22 Chestnut-sided Warbler 9-22-22 FOS Golden-winged Warbler female

I missed the American Redstart, but was able to catch the Magnolia, Northern Parula and Chestnut-sided. The last warbler was this FOS female Golden-winged. I have yet to see another, very unusual as this species is reliably seen here. It is our most endangered species, and I can only hope they are finding what they need elsewhere.

9-22-22 Carolina Chickadee

"Hey, birds!"

On Friday, 9/23/22, between 10:37 and 10:46 am, multiple birds of nine warbler species came in along with Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Red-eyed Vireos. They were popping in and out like popcorn! 

9-23-22 American Redstart

American Redstart, immature male (really orangey yellow flanks)

9-23-22 FOS Nashville, two Tennessee and Chestnut-sided Warblers

Clockwise from top left:  FOS Nashville Warbler, two Tennessee Warblers and Chestnut-sided Warbler 

9-23-22 Bay-breasted Warbler and American Redstart

Bay-breasted Warbler and American Redstart

  9-23-22 Bay-breasted and Black-throated Green Warblers

Bay-breasted and Black-throated Green Warblers

  9-23-22 Black-throated Green and Bay-breasted Warblers

Two Black-throated Green and Bay-breasted Warblers

9-23-22 Bay-breasted Warbler and Northern Parula

Bay-breasted Warbler and Northern Parula

9-23-22 House Finch, Northern Parula and Magnolia Warbler

Northern Parula at bubble, Magnolia Warbler and House Finch in foreground

9-23-22 Bay-breasted, Tennessee, Northern Parula and Black-throated Green Warblers

Rear to foreground:  Bay-breasted, Tennessee, Northern Parula and Black-throated Green Warblers

9-23-22 Red-eyed Vireo immature

Red-eyed Vireo, immature with brown eye

9-23-22 Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warbler (tail dipped in ink)

9-23-22 Ruby-crowned Kinglet with insect

And last but not least, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet with insect legs hanging out of its mouth! Gotta love it! This is what it's all about, nourishing the birds with the insect foods they need by attracting the insects with native plants.

Check back in a few days, I hope to have the last week of September highlights added in by then!