5-10-23Screenshot
Birdcast 5-10-23
Look at that spike! It was remarkable, the birds were just held back and then burst upon the scene all at once. It was definitely a strange spring in that regard. Some males dropped by to feed and kept on moving north. Others...well, there is a story here to tell.
There are some warblers that are renowned for their tendency to hide in cover, to skulk about, foraging for insects and to be just plain difficult to see. They are also just plain difficult for me to photograph.
4-27-23 FOY Kentucky Warbler
The common Kentucky Warbler is one of these and it kindly obliged me this year by hopping through the violets and coming out in the open for a brief view.
5-8-23 Common Yellowthroat
Another noted skulker is the Common Yellowthroat. It also found safety in the cover of gooseberry and dewberry brambles, poppies, bluebells and violets. This male was here for several days and got comfortable enough to get into the bubbler to bathe.
5-8-23 Common Yellowthroat 5-8-23 Common Yellowthroat 5-8-23 Common Yellowthroat
It's so fulfilling to be able to show you the eyes of these bright and beautiful birds. It's also rewarding to know that they're finding enough insect food to boost their energy reserves so they can be on their way. Yards with habitat like ours are crucial to the survival and recovery of the populations of these birds.
If you follow this blog, you may remember that there is one species that I've often called my nemesis, the uncommon Mourning Warbler. Every year around Mother's Day, I anticipate its arrival. Some years, no bird arrives. One year, in 2006, it actually got into the bubbler to bathe. Last year, it popped out briefly, surveying the bubbler area.
5-16-22 FOY Mourning Warbler
Well, on Wednesday, 5-10-23 there was a lot of activity with birds around the bubbler. I was enjoying the time until the inevitable man-made machinery made it unbearable for me. I moved inside, though the birds continued coming to the bubbler, their safe place. Keeping an eye on things with the camera nearby, to my surprise, a Mourning Warbler came out of cover, bold as brass!
5-10-23 Mourning Warbler 5-10-23 Mourning Warbler 5-10-23 Mourning Warbler 5-10-23 Mourning Warbler 5-10-23 Mourning Warbler 5-10-23 Mourning Warbler 5-10-23 Mourning Warbler 5-10-23 Mourning Warbler 5-10-23 Mourning Warbler 5-10-23 Mourning Warbler 5-10-23 Mourning Warbler 5-10-23 Mourning Warbler 5-10-23 Nashville Warbler, Mourning Warbler and White-throated Sparrow
Well, knock me over with a feather!! It got out, it got back in, it got in with other birds like the Nashville Warbler and White-throated Sparrow.
5-10-23 Nashville and Mourning Warblers
What a striking specimen!! It was gorgeous!! I mean, I've only waited 17 years for this!!
5-10-23 Mourning and Nashville Warblers
5-10-23 Mourning and Nashville Warblers 5-10-23 Mourning and Nashville Warblers 5-10-23 American Redstart and Mourning Warbler
It certainly gave the American Redstart a look, but kept on bathing. The longer it stayed, the longer it imprinted our location and the bubbler into its genes. How cool is that!!
5-10-23 Mourning Warbler 5-10-23 Mourning Warbler 5-10-23 Mourning Warbler
There are so many more birds to talk about, but for today, enjoy the Mourning Warbler. I sure did!!!