Thoughts and things: Yellow-rumped Warbler

Sunday, May 31, 2020

A Windfall of Warblers

Every spring tiny birds called warblers migrate north from their wintering grounds in the south. Many are just passing through as they proceed even further north.

I started thinking of them as a "windfall" because they are treasures that appear suddenly and often in large numbers due to strong winds bringing them down from the skies. It was with that in mind that I wrote the following poem last year:

A WINDFALL OF WARBLERS

May’s warmth rolls back the blanket of white

and lays a carpet of green.

Warblers, blown north, spill jewel-like into the woods

quick to take flight for even more northern skies.

A windfall of warblers - a treasure - spent in a flash.

(from the book Discoveries In The Dark by Doris Potter)

With the difficulties of moving around freely to bird-watch this spring, I was doubtful whether I would see many (or even any) in my neighbourhood. I was therefore ecstatic to catch sight of nine species and to photograph eight of them.

Nashville Warbler

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Cape May Warbler

Tennessee Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

And lastly, below, is the type that I wasn't quick enough to photograph so I am inserting a photo I took last year of the same species.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Bathing Beauties

Probably due to weather conditions and strong southerly winds, many of the migrating warblers moved into the Montreal area in May and stayed longer than usual. Large numbers stopped over in the Botanical Gardens to rest, bathe and feed.

Luckily for me, I found a secluded area with a small stream which attracted quite a variety of bathers.

Here is a selection of some of the residents and visitors (warblers) who frequented the stream and gave me the opportunity to witness their enjoyment of a cool bath!