I seem to spot a Black-and-white Warbler about once a year. Friday was my day.
He was busy picking through the lichen on this branch.
I removed the stick in the background on this one.
Another view where you see the pattern on his back.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
January 6, 2023
On my recent trip to Maine I was amazed to witness some warbler migration. I grew up near where these were taken and don’t remember ever seeing anything like the hundreds of birds I saw in the vicinity including a variety of warblers and finches.
The mowed lawn seen above was backed by a field of “weeds” that were bursting with all sorts of seeds and flying insects–a song bird buffet.
I had not taken my long lens on this trip and could not get close enough to most of them with the 18-200mm; this one fellow seemed a bit more curious.
This particular bird is much more colorful than the Palm Warbler I had photographed a few days before in Charleston, SC.
ID by Cornell Lab’s Merlin App
Penobscot County, Maine
September 16, 2022
I had seen this Palm Warbler skittering ahead of me down the trail and given up hope of photographing it in the thick underbrush. Then he landed in this dead tree.
He looked around…
Staying put for about 3 seconds in the spread leg position…
Then he was off…
The last I saw of him before he flew back into the undergrowth.
ID by Cornell Lab’s Merlin App
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
September 16, 2022
The Black-and-white Warbler is another bird I had not spotted in a long while.
This one showed off his upside down walking skills.
Oh, I see you!
And then went about his business.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
February 15, 2022
A Palm Warbler was doing his thing in the lower vegetation at the side of a swamp.
As you may know, warblers of all sorts are speedy and are mostly photographed exiting the spot you noticed him. Fortunately for me, this one’s curiosity slowed him down.
Then he gave me a jaunty pose.
He heard something, gave it another look, then dove into the underbrush.
ID by Cornell Lab’s Merlin App
Magnolia’s Audubon Swamp, Charleston, SC
October 18, 2021
A very busy Yellow-rumped Warbler was zipping back and forth over the edge of a small pond.
He found small twigs to perch on between forays.
And then totally surprised me by landing in the water, which is much deeper than just to his ankles.
The carpet of vegetation, or perhaps a stick under the surface, was enough to hold up his 0.4-0.5 ounce (12-13 g) body while he poked in the water.
He got his treasure and skedaddled showing off his name-sake rump.
Redstarts are part of the fall warbler migration through South Carolina and this is the first year I’ve gotten more than a glimpse of one of these speedy songbirds.
This one landed right in front of me when I was standing on a short bridge over a pond outlet late one recent afternoon. She then dropped to the ground so that I was looking down on her at the water level.
She proceeded to splash around in the water which was in the dark shade of the bridge, flashing her colored tail feathers.
The flash of yellow let me know this might be a Northern Parula as he flitted in the Spanish Moss above my head. Yes, it was.
I stood still and he finally paused for just a moment before zipping down the trail.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
May 15, 2020
Common Yellowthroat Warblers, either female or immature, but still looking pretty snazzy, entertained me as they flitted in and out of some marsh grass and cattails.
There were at least two, and may have been more; it was hard to tell as they zipped in and out of the underbrush.
Most of the time they were down in the thicker clumps, but did give me a few clearer views.
The late afternoon light was just right on this Black-and-white Warbler as he worked his way along a tree line.
An industrious hunter, he went round and round the trees, occasionally nabbing a small snack.
He occasionally paused for a look around.
Hunting upside down was no problem.
