Spring has blown through the trees and shrubs with a heat that is unfurling blooms too fast for this New Englander. Fresh spring greens bring renewal of garden walks and returning songbirds. I am excited to discover two new warblers to add to my list of warblers here at Flower Hill Farm Retreat.
Ovenbird
CD and I were walking in the woods and because of the backlit sky we could not determine the identity of this rotund warbler until I got the images I took into photoshop and over-exposed them. Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla, is my best guess. We did not record the song that the bird sang over and again, alas, so I hope my guess is correct.
All we could see of this sweet warbler was a dark silhouette and I find it amazing to see the bird’s olive back colors and splashes of thrush-like markings over his cream colored chest once over-exposing the photos. A pair of Ovenbirds build a domed oven-like nest on the ground and this habit brought about their name. I may never find their nest, but I am happy to know that Ovenbirds live in our forest.
Blue-winged Warbler
This bright yellow warbler has a very distinct buzzy song that I could not place and after I was lucky to get a few shots, I went inside to try to identify the warbler. Once at my computer I was able to identify him as a Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora cyanoptera.
He would never let me get very close before flying off, but I was able to follow the blue wing to the nearby oak and got these faint images.
Bright buttery yellow made me think Yellow Warbler but not with those wing bars and there were no rusty streaks. Note the the simple black line through the eye.
Back over in a Birch tree he began to sing again.
I am chirping and have a lighter step for the joy of finding two new warblers living here with me in this hillside wildlife habitat. So many birds have returned and I have yet to share all of 2014’s birds. Perhaps a combined post is coming up soon.
I don’t know what amazes me more: the diversity of warblers or the length of their journeys. Lovely photos!
Yes, both are amazing Sarah. We are lucky to witness their comings and goings and their unique songs and behaviors are a delight. Thank you.