If you have noticed a few new "songs" in your neighborhood lately, it could be migrating wood warblers. These tiny crooners have been making their way northward the last few weeks. While they are mainly solitary birds, they are often seen in loose flocks during migration. I have had several flocks of Yellow-rumped warblers and chickadees visiting my yard and stopping for a drink at the bird bath. However, I had a special surprise when a Pine Warbler decided to visit my suet feeder for a few days (picture below).
Warblers can be overlooked during the Spring migration because they don't often visit traditional seed feeders. Their diet consists mainly of insects and spiders, but many of them will visit a suet feeder. Having a clean bird bath and a fresh cake of suet may be all it takes to lure one to your backyard.
Because they move about so quickly, warblers are often difficult to photograph and identify. It is a good idea to have a good field guide and a pair of binoculars within easy access. Make sure that your field guide is geared specifically for "Eastern North America". It will help you to identify those species of warblers that nest in your area, as opposed to those that are simply "passing through".
Isn't he cute?! I think I saw one of these little guys "zoom" past my livingroom window yesterday!
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