Day 130: May 9th – Warblers on the rise

Overcast with a threat of rain, 60 degrees, calm

      We decided to divide out time between two warbler “hot-spots” today, Mine Road and Ironwood Road.  An entry back in Januray in this blog talked about Mine Road and how it changes from season regarding what species are most abundant.  In spring, and specifically in May, warblers are the featured item.  Our main goal is to try and find the Golden-winged warbler, and our chances are going to be much greater out at Ironwood Road in Sterling Forest State Park. 

       Mine Road was noisy, but the source of the cacophony seemed to be content to stick back in the woods rather than grace us with an appearance.  Well, that’s birding.  Finally, when we reached the area known as the old sand pile, things started to pick up.  We heard a Blue-wing and began to search for it when a blue bird flew right over our heads. It alighted in a tall oak and upon inspection, it turned out to be a fine example of a male Indigo bunting.  Yesterday’s blog entry included a wet female Indigo and I mentioned what a difference there was between the male and female of these species.  Well, here’s the male.  See what we were talking about?

       Our only major photo opportunity as far as warblers goes was a nice male Common yellowthroat.  The warbler was working the roadside as they often seem to do, searching for any aphids or other bugs on the leaves of the weeds along the road.  We began to think that this little gem may well be the star of today’s photo of the day.

       At Ironwood road, after a 20 minute drive, we found a lot more action.  At the end of the road lies a cul-de-sac surrounded by honeysuckle.  The insects find this vegetation attractive and so, therefore, do the warblers.  At first, I believed we had our target bird of the day….the Golden-wing.  I grabbed the camera, ripped off a couple of shots and realized that this was no Golden-wing.  This bird is a hybrid of a Blue-winged and a Golden-winged warbler and is called the Brewster’s warbler.  It was working on the brush all around the honeysuckle and paid us no heed.  As I watched and photographed, I did eventually get a look at the Golden-winged warbler we had come for.  As for a decent picture, that will have to wait for another day.  In the meantime, the Brewster’s is a more than suitable substitute. 

Brewster's warbler with insect

       As I birded the power-line right of way, this site proved to be very productive with more warbler species such as the Black-and-white, Yellow, Common yellowthroat, American redstart, Prairie, Northern parula, and Blue-winged warblers.  

Yellow warbler at Ironwood Road, Sterling Forest

       Another handsome Indigo also made an appearance, and although we never did get a good look at them, Scarlet tanagers made their presence known through their raspy songs.  All in all, a day well worth the effort….and it DID NOT RAIN!