Butternut Squash, Butter-Butt Warblers, and other Signs of Fall

Since my last post exemplified the extraordinary, an American Golden-Plover, I thought my next post should celebrate something ordinary.  One of the true signs of fall is the arrival of Yellow-Rumped Warblers for me.  Their kissing calls mark the coming of fall in many ways.  Although most people will tell you about the cool brisk breezes, the changing autumn leaves, and the omnipresence of pumpkin as the true signs of fall.  But for birders, birds announce the change of the seasons.

For me, the Yellow-Rumped Warbler is one of those signs of fall.  This flighty warbler is one of my true signs of autumn.  This warbler is unique in that most of its wintering range is in North America and not the Neotropics.  There are wide ranges of biodiversity with birds and even within bird families.  Some warblers like the inside of the tree, some the outside, some the brush.  You can have several different type of warblers in a single tree, eating completely different kinds of insects in completely different parts.  The variety of Yellow-Rumped Warblers also helps us to appreciate the differences of individuals in the bird world as each butter but can pose a challenge for IDing under certain lights.  In the end, getting out and appreciating Yellow-Rumpeds helps us to understand the world of warblers better.  So get out and bird!

A Frog in a Pond

The Butter-Butt in a Tree

More Butter-Butt

Can you find the Butter-Butt?

2013 Year List: 263

Yellow-Rumped Warbler on All About Birds - Link

A Eurasian Gull

So after the Pelagic Trip, I headed for the local beach/pine forest state park, which also is one of the state's IBA (Important Bird Areas).  This park has yielded me several life birds, Black-Throated Blue Warblers, Tricolored Herons, King Eider, and even an Lapland Longspur.  And this weekend, Hammonasset gave me 4 great birds.  Red Crossbills, White-Winged Crossbills, Grasshopper Sparrow and a Black-Headed Gull (see pics below)!  The Black-Headed Gull had been scared off by an unleashed dog.  This set back had the potential to make me dip on the bird.  Yet, with some determination, we found the bird again.  I say we because the park was literally full of birders!

It was a great opportunity 

LOOK!  A SEAGULL!

2012 Life List:

240

Fall Migration!

A visit to Hammonasset was supposed to yield rare and random seabirds.  No seabirds minus the Double Crested Cormorants that are prepping for their migration.  While the seabirds were disappointing, the rest of the day was incredible.  Birds were literally dripping from the sky... or bouncing around on the ground.  The Life Birds I got were: Orange-Crowned Warbler, Golden-Crowned Kinglet, Blue-Headed Vireo, Black-Throated Blue Warbler and the Elusive Marsh Wren!  It was a great to be outside and birding!

On another note, it had been a while since I had such a good time meeting and encountering other birders.  Not that other birders are rude, most follow the rules of etiquette and some will just ignore you.  But everyone I encountered was great, friendly and helpful.  It reminded me why I love to bird.  The nature is fantastic but I always enjoy seeing people appreciating it as well.  Next week, I am taking a class on Winter Sparrows and many more exciting Birding events are coming up!

Get Outside!


The Blue-Headed Vireo (c) Cornell Lab of Ornithology

2012 Life List Total:
223 Birds