Mostly the lovely Blue-headed Vireo is seen way up in the trees. Lucky to have this brief interaction the other day in Millcreek Twp, PA (“Since 1800”) closer to eye level:
Foraging behavior:
More Adjacency
Warbler Adjacent
Continuing on with a focus on spring warblers and warbler adjuncts, e.g., vireos. Nothing more ‘warbler adjacent’ than the lovely Warbling Vireo. These recent shots from Leo’s Landing at Presque Isle State Park:
Bonus bird content, same day/location:
Wrapping it up with more Warbling Vireo:
Coming up soon, more vireo! Plus big news from South Pier.
Black-and-white Photography
Recent shots of beautiful Black-and-white Warbler along the Pine Tree Trail at Presque Isle State Park:
Black-and-white Warblers forage similarly to nuthatches and Brown Creeper, by climbing on trees looking for prey like this spider or opilionid:
Opportunistic scavenging at this spider’s web:
Scratching behavior:
Some sunshine yesterday in Erie County, Pennsylvania, then gathering thunderstorms and rain again overnight. Recent new bird arrivals include Red-headed Woodpecker – pictures forthcoming!
A Little Chestnut
Complaining about wet, cold weather in the northeast US is like complaining about hot, dry weather in the desert southwest: pointless, since it’s just a geographic reality. But wow, it really was bad weather this past weekend in Erie County, Pennsylvania. Despite that, there were enough breaks in the rain yesterday for some nice bird activity, including Chesnut-sided Warbler. While waiting on photo editing, these shots (all males) are from earlier in the week, at both Presque Isle State Park and Scott Park:
Warbler Twofer+
About 24 hours of solid rain yesterday in Erie County, Pennsylvania = wet. All field operations cancelled, which is sad for early May/migration season. Nevertheless, moving on with recent mostly-warbler content, from a recent outing along the Canoe Portage & Duck Pond Trails at Presque Isle State Park. First up, great to finally see Common Yellowthroat (male) for the first time this spring:
Also great to get a better view of beautiful Nashville Warbler (probably male or immature). Note the yellow throat, gray head, and distinctive white eyering:
Unless otherwise noted, more shots of Common Yellowthroat x Nashville Warbler:
More “Yellow”
As forecast, really bad weather this Saturday morning here in northwestern Pennsylvania – steady, heavy rain. (Rainy bird photography is possible but annoying – too much umbrella manipulation, and the camera equipment gets wet.) While waiting on things to dry up, once again featuring a single species of spring migration warbler, this time the amazing Blue-winged Warbler (probably a male), recently spotted at Scott Park:
Really interesting article on Blue-winged Warbler and it’s close genetic kin.
Coming up soon, more warblers including Palm Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, American Redstart, & Common Yellowthroat! And if the weather ever improves, maybe even others!
Chipping In
Looks like unsettled (e.g., rainy, cool) weather is forecast for Erie County, Pennsylvania today and through the weekend. Wishing everyone “happy birding!” nevertheless. Here’s a quick post of amazingly cute Chipping Sparrow chipping in for nest building, in south Millcreek Twp (“Since 1800”):
Really Red Birds
Celebrating May 1st & the return of Scarlet Tanager to Erie County, Pennsylvania the other day with photos of, well, male Scarlet Tanager. Somehow, it’s always a surprise to see this beautiful bird – they’re really, really red!
And another, more common ‘really red’ bird, the male Northern Cardinal:
Along A Sidewalk
Things (e.g., plants) are greening up in Erie County, Pennsylvania, and migration season’s in full swing, with “new for 2025” sightings every day, e.g., Scarlet Tanager yesterday. While waiting on photo editing, here’s warbler content from along the Sidewalk Trail at Presque Isle State Park from the other weekend, first up with the always beautiful Palm Warbler:
And Yellow-rumped Warbler:
Finally, lots and lots of Pine Warbler; fairly unusual, concentrated activity this close to the ground. These are probably mostly females and immature. (Breeding plumage male = much yellower.)
Down On The Farm
Today, bird photos from this past Saturday under relatively awful weather conditions – cold, overcast/gloomy, damp/mud, and lots of grumbling from BirdingPI.com staff. Nevertheless, it’s a great time of year to visit Brown’s Farm at the south end of the Asbury Woods complex, esp. for American Goldfinch, Eastern Bluebird, & flowering ‘feral’ apple trees.
Three shots of NFIF (Northern Flicker in flight):
Briefly, lots of American Crows in a group of distant trees:
