A Prothonotary Warbler took a singing break and had a look around the swamp for some food.
I didn’t observe any nests, but these migrant warblers arrived at Beidler Forrest in the second half of March so easily could have hungry chicks by now.
Beidler has an active bird banding and research program and this bird is sporting bands on both legs.
Audubon Center at Beidler Forest, Harleyville, SC
April 24, 2024
Prothonotary Warbler surveying his options, left, right, left. Warblers are speedy, often chasing lunch; this one took a few pauses sort of in the open.
Audubon Center at Beidler Forest, Harleyville, SC
April 14, 2023
Prothonotary Warblers sing in the trees
And they sing on the knees, perhaps to the knees
Audubon Center at Beidler Forest, Harleyville, SC
April 7, 2023
Prothonotary Warblers started showing up in our area last week, that flash of yellow in the forest swamp really stands out.
Audubon Center at Beidler Forest, Harleyville, SC
March 30, 2023
A mighty song!
This Prothonotary Warbler’s nest is in that cavity, and the parent spent several minutes poking his head in, like he was moving something around.
I did not see if he brought something on this trip to the nest, like he did when I spotted the parent two days before: Prothonotary Warbler Bringing Food Home
The hole is about my eye level and I did see one chick beak when I passed by.
The parent did fly off with a fecal sac, something I hadn’t seen up close before.
Sitting just off the trail this Prothonotary Warbler was perched, but not singing, which is a common behavior. I didn’t notice at first that his beak was stuffed with lunch.
Not for himself, but he was taking this meal to his nest.
He quickly stuck his head in…
then flew off for another serving.
I didn’t hear any chicks so suspect he was feeding his brooding mate.
I returned to Beidler Forrest one morning this week hoping for another opportunity to see a Prothonotary Warbler or two. I did hear a few high in the tree tops but mostly they eluded me. The promised sun did not materialize, keeping the forest dark.
I did capture this one as it was returning to its nest, which the center staff pointed me to. The nest is down inside that Cypress knee. After a moment the adult dropped into the nest and stayed put for at least the next twenty minutes, likely laying on eggs.
May 7, 2019.
The Prothonotary Warblers have returned to my area. Often you hear them before seeing them, even with this brilliant yellow.
These images were taken at Beidler Forest which has many of the features these warblers like: tree cavities for nesting, damp forest floor, dense undergrowth and both standing and slow moving water.
As I was leaving for the day one final Prothonotary Warbler crossed my path and perched on an open, if dimly lit, branch for a few moments.
