Doing a Good Turn

It is fascinating how many people connect to even the most routine backyard birds.  Just today I encountered a gentleman with a field guide and made the usual inquiry: "Birder?"  Turns out his interest is backyard birds, which I can certainly appreciate.  He allowed that he was flummoxed by a bird he was seeing at his feeders, one that he was certain was one of the sparrows.  Of course I probed for field marks and quickly realized the fellow had seen this bird: a Yellow Rumped Warbler, but in its classic winter plumage.  Mystery solved!  It is a pleasure to help out the seeker, knowing perhaps his or her interest will be enhanced, and they in turn will do a good turn for someone else.  The circle of birding must continue!

A Little Too Aggressive

I have observed for some years, in late winter, a pattern of aggressive behavior by Yellow Rumped Warblers.  The previously inoffensive birds take on a role of feeder cop, chasing off other species at every feeder they can cover.  I'm a little embarrassed to say that I think I finally figured it out.  Perhaps I was fooled that the birds eventually migrate northwards.  But it strikes me they are responding to hormonal changes and compelled to defend a territory.  Even if it's a temporary one.  The nature of the territory may have to do in large part with food supply---no doubt the warblers need to build up an energy stock before committing to the migration.  But even still, other migrants don't do this in winter here.  The warblers are simply more wired.  I take this as a sign that they will ship out within the next few weeks and leave our feeders in peace.  And this will be welcomed.  Right now they are simply too aggressive!

Limited Warblers

Yellow Rumped Warblers are very common winter birds here, but sometimes not that common.  Case in point is 2013-14.  The YRWs are around but one needs to wait a spell before spotting one or two at the feeders, at least thus far.  I wouldn't be too surprised to see their activity pick up into February as other food sources dry up, and to see the birds get rather more aggressive at favored feeders.  But right now neither seems to be a concern.  That's fine.  I remember getting highly annoyed at these characters by the end of winter and wave good bye with fair enthusiasm.  For now, they're an interesting sight.

Another Winter Check-In

We've seen White Throated Sparrows, Juncos, and a Hermit Thrush.  Now the winter species count advances with Yellow Rumped Warblers.   This male was spotted by BirdCam a little earlier this month (and I just now noticed, my my.)  I had expected the YRWs to come around once their usual fall food sources ebb a bit.  I have suet out which should attract them, and peanut butter may be coming soon.  The warblers have historically been mad for peanut butter.  So we are nearly in December and most all the winter regulars have checked in.  But we never know, will others, more surprising, come by?

Watching For the Winter Set

We are getting ever close to the point of time where the winter species of the Piedmont should start to become evident.  But what I have experienced year after year is a sort of pokiness.  I hardly ever encounter species much before mid November.  Among the ultimate visitors will be juncos, White Throated Sparrows and Yellow Rumped Warblers (shown).  In fact, it is the warblers I expect to see first.  I see them at the office park nearly as the leaves fall, working in the wax myrtles.  And that's why I planted wax myrtles here!  I am hoping to draw in these "Myrtle Warblers" earlier.  That may take time but I'll bet they get the message in a year or two.  For now, we watch and wait.  Who will be first?

A Bit Aggressive

The Good News is that I was wrong about the Yellow Rumped Warblers.  They didn't migrate out yet (so evidently they were out of my view whenever I looked) .  The Bad News is that the males are molting into summer plumage and the hormonal change has turned them into little monsters.  I watched in amazement as one dude fought off a half dozen birds, keeping them away from the now fully-stocked feeders.  And in that quick turn, I decided: yes, it is time you YRWs migrate.  Now.  Quickly.  This behavior is crazy, even if they need extra calories for the migration.  Be careful what you wish for!

Yellow Rumped Season At End?

It very much looks like a bit more of winter has reached its end here in the Piedmont.  And that is because a winter-only visitor seems to have folded the tents and moved on.  That would be the Yellow Rumped Warblers.  They joined us after the fall wax myrtle pickings ended.  And they are an aggressive presence especially at suet in January and February.  Now things are quieter.  But they will be replaced at this station by catbirds, at least, so the suet will move.  Good bye friends, and enjoy your summer, wherever you went!

Thinking of Migration

Winter is really winding down now in the Piedmont.  Some trees and wildflowers are in flower, frogs are calling, and even some of the bird species are making territorial calls.  I believe some of our perennials are even getting close to the first nest attempt.  And that all means that the Cary BirdCam resort will have some check-outs in coming weeks.  These Yellow Rumped Warblers will be among the early wave.  And we'll say goodbye to the Pine Siskins, Hermit Thrushes, Red Breasted Nuthatches, and those wonderful little juncos.  Somewhat later in spring the White Throated Sparrows will wave goodbye, probably even after I see the first hummingbird.  I almost can't believe all these birds will soon be gone...winter seemed long, but this gathering of winter species seems short to me, somehow.  So when does the first species depart? we shall see...soon.

They're Ba-aack

January 14th is more or less the middle of winter (halfway between 12/1 and 2/28) and right on schedule the Yellow Rumped Warblers have made themselves at home at the feeders.  This is very typical behavior: the YRWs take their time moving from the natural food selections (wax myrtle berries are one) to my cafe offerings.  And when they do it's in a big way.  Some years have seen especially aggressive warblers who drive off any comers to the feeder(s) they see as theirs.  And by March I am quite ready to see the rascals pack up their bags.  But we assume the best and wait to see whether we have well mannered YRWs or demon-possessed ones.  The jury is still out.  But for certain they are here.

Warblers Not Quite Here Yet

The Yellow Rumped Warbler is very common in the Piedmont in winter and can be found for about half the year.  We've seen them around (the area) since October.  And they're easy to find in parks and edge places especially where Wax Myrtle are prevalent.  But in my back yard, not so much.  YRWs take their sweet time dropping by here and that's just a function of food choice: they see my stuff as a lot less desirable than alternatives available in the fall and early winter.  Or at least that's the way I see it. Even peanut butter must be second- or third-best to wax myrtle berries and whatever else the warblers key on.  But to be honest, I am not 100% thrilled with these characters when they do show up regularly.  They're often aggressive and can make life miserable for the perennials and the other winter visitors.  So let's say I maintain an academic interest in their presence in winter---and that's about it!  We'll see what point in January that begins.

And Then There Were Two

Talk about a fine weekend!  Turns out I not only have seen my first White Throated Sparrow of the winter season---at our bird bath today.  But another visitor to the same site was a male Yellow Rumped Warbler.  These are also winter birds for the Piedmont and are now the second confirmed species sighting of a winter migrant.  I don't expect to see YRWs at the feeders any time soon: they are confirmed natural foodies for the first few months.  But they are on the property and that's good enough for me.  And now the search for Juncos begins.  Word is they are in the county now...

Watching For Warblers

Fall is certainly well underway here in the Piedmont.  And there are waves of migrants streaming south, many of which are woodland warblers.  I am watching now for one particular warbler which graces us during the winter.  And that is Dendroica coronata, the Yellow Rumped Warbler.  I first see them working the Wax Myrtles----hence their old timey name "Myrtle Warbler"---long before they attack the feeders.   The waxy berries must be irresistable.  I have planted some wax myrtles here but it will take a few years before they yield fruit in quantities that could interest this species.  At least the path is in place.  And my eyes are, too.  Should be soon...

They Are Still Here!

It's been a continuing surprise how long the Yellow Rumped Warblers have been with us.  This winter species has been present longer than I think I have ever observed, and the continuing presence in BirdCam photos probably rules out these birds being pass-throughs.  For whatever reasons, they have not seen seen fit to pack up and fly north.  They are hardly the last to be going as the White Throated Sparrows are still around.  But I've learned that WTS's are major procrastinators.  Perhaps (I speak in jest) they are waiting to hand the keys off to the hummingbirds, which I have not seen!  It will be interesting to note how long this part of winter lingers.  Late April? or into May?  We shall see!

They Haven't Left Town, Perhaps

It seems like weeks since I've seen a Yellow Rumped Warbler.  This species is common here in winter, and I can assure you are daily regulars especially at the suet feeders.  It seemed they'd migrated out along with the Hermit Thrush.  Or did they?  Recent BirdCam photography seems to suggest that I was fooled and that the warblers are still around.  An alternative hypothesis is that warblers from farther south have stopped by for an energy boost and will soon continue on to Canada.  Personally I lean to that second explanation: doesn't make sense that my regulars would vanish like that and hang out down the street when the gettings are good.  In any case, it's a fun moment to enjoy.

Are the Warblers Gone?

I'm not completely certain, but it appears that another springtime landmark has just passed: our Yellow Rumped Warblers have (probably) moved on.  I have seen no signs of them since the 15th.  But I have also not been around to see as much these past several days.  Such an early departure would be unusual.  According to my logbook, my last photos of the season showing YRW's have all been about two weeks or more away, namely: April 2, 2011; April 5, 2010, April 2, 2009; and April 28, 2008.  But the season is strange, and just perhaps mid March has been it.  I'll keep watching, of course, but what I saw yesterday and today looks mighty quiet around the suet feeder.

Almost Migration Time

March is moving along at a pretty good pace, or so it seems, and one by one our end-of-winter signs mount up.  It's almost time for our seasonal visitors to change.  These Yellow Rumped Warblers will be one passing fancy.  And they will in time be joined by the Slate Colored Juncos, the White Throated Sparrows, the Hermit Thrush (just one?) and our winter American Robins.  Each is a marvelous gift of nature during the dull, bleak days of winter.  As much as I suppose I'll miss them, it is time to move along and appreciate the change of seasons.  As the winterers pass along to their summer homes, we will await the summer guests: Ruby Throated Hummingbirds, Gray Catbirds, and Chimney Swifts.  Can't wait!

Madhouse

Around here, there is one great truth about Yellow Rumped Warblers.  And that is that they are everyone, aggressive, and ravenous.  Ours get into the feeders gradually and even reluctantly.  But by mid January they're noticeable, and not too many weeks later quite annoying.  I assume they've cleaned out whatever fruits and easy proteins they can get, and our suet feeder is a major draw.  The BirdCam even maxed out its memory today in large part because of many dozens of YRW photos, almost every minute.  We shall endure this brief madness.  It will not really be too long before this lot heads north for summer and we enjoy some relative peace and quiet.  As for the other birds?  That will have to be their problem for now.

Invasion

The weather has turned noticeably colder (for the next few days) and all the signs were there that the songbirds are hitting feeders hard.  Seed consumption is sharply up.  Suet is going a little faster.  And I am seeing rather more birds than usual.  One species that's looking more numerous are the visiting Yellow Rumped Warblers.  It may be that the same number of birds have been around, but I see more of them on the feeders at one time than I've experienced so far this winter.  That's no surprise, really.  Once the Wax Myrtles and other fruiting shrubs have been cleared off, the YRWs seem to be a good deal more populous, every year.  Sunday should be the coldest yet this season.  It will be interesting to see what goes on outside!

The Right Combination

Some of our back yard birds have the most fascinating field marks, some of which are only visible in the right light or from the right perspective.  Think of the gorget of the Ruby Throated Hummingbird which looks black except in the very right moment, when it flashes a vivid red.  I think the Yellow Rumped Warbler has something similar: three yellow points that aren't easily seen together.  In this photo the three are visible: the well-known rump, the side flashes, and hardest of all the little crown splotch. At moments such as this the plumage is at its magic best.  It is definitely something to anticipate, look for, and appreciate.

Big Day for Suet

With each passing day, those stocks of food that are available this winter have gotten smaller and smaller.  And my little feeder stations are showing some signs that the birds are looking for more sustainance there.  Just today BirdCam toted up 328 pictures, a pretty respectable haul for the suet feeder.  One cake nearly vanished.  And I counted 13 species. 

There were Eastern Bluebirds.  Lots of bluebird visits.  And up there were Yellow Rumped Warblers, Carolina Wrens, and Red Bellied Woodpeckers.  Also dropping by were Pine Warblers, American Robins, Brown Headed Nuthatches, Tufted Titmice, Hermit Thrushes, Hairy Woodpeckers, White Breasted Nuthatches, Northern Flickers, and Downy Woodpeckers. 

It may not be too long before insect populations start mattering.  Until then, I wouldn't be surprised if days like today are a little more regular.  It was a big day for suet.  More are coming.