Paletta Park, Burlington, ON. May 4 2020. It all looked right for a big birding day so I left the house early to revisit this prime spot. In my haste I was a bit under-dressed for the brisk north wind and several times wondered if I should go home and get another layer on. But of course, I couldn’t possibly leave with so much going on, the White Cedar hedge was hopping with little birds. The hedge is old and unkempt and, as a consequence, full of insects and other invertebrates, just the sort of place for overnight migrants to refuel.
Just as yesterday, there were many Yellow–rumped Warblers, and I mean many, dozens and dozens, almost all boldly coloured males and just a couple of females. There were many Black-throated Green Warblers and Palm Warblers too and I noticed that they both appeared to prefer the extremities of branches in their foraging unlike the Yellow-rumped who tended to work deeper in the dark inner reaches.
One beautiful male Black-throated Blue Warbler , and only one, appeared for a while, but I loved it! It might be First Prize among warbler species, certainly it was today (and Bird of the Day) but ask me another time and well, anything could happen, there are many more beauties to come. He moved too quickly for me to get a photo but I have other shots from earlier years, here’s one.
It just so happens that it graces the page for the current month of the Bird Studies Canada calendar.
There was more to the morning than warblers though (although you might find that hard to believe). A small group of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, a Hermit Thrush, two Blue–headed Vireos and a close Warbling Vireo all kept the chill away.
NICE JOB!
Congrats for getting ‘published’!
I remember ‘finding’ that bird, wondering who the beautiful, feathered friend was, emailing you written details as I lacked a camera during the sighting and you gave me his lovely name. Thank you.
Very handsome bird!
Great photograph chosen for the calendar. Congratulations.
Have been watching Baltimore Orioles at my feeder for last few days (Creemore area).
I have no words to describe the beauty of these little creatures. My father used to chide me regularly with “Eyes have they and see not” when I couldn’t find something. I think when it comes to birds, I haven’t changed. I admire your ability to see so many, let alone identify them all!
Thanks, Peter for sharing such wonders with us.