The Warblers are coming through - in small numbers so far

  • By Bruce Glick
  • May 8, 2013
  • 290
                        
The warblers are coming through - in small numbers so far! Columnist Bruce Glick summarizes happenings in the local birding world. This the peak time to see migrant warblers. Read more in the "Gone Birding" column. For many birders, warbler migration is the most highly anticipated time of year. It can also be a frustrating experience if the weather patterns don't cooperate. In order to see lots of the brightly-colored little birds, thunderstorms or rainy days are helpful in order to force the birds down for a day or two on their way north. This year has been quite unusual in that we have had several weeks of east winds and sunny days. During the first week of May, no big movements of warblers were noted in Ohio. Small numbers have been seen but the big push is still coming our way. As I write this column on May 8, the forecast is for a gradual shift in the winds, the arrival of a brief cold spell, and then some very warm days. That may bring us some good warbler days the week of May 13-18. There was some excitement on Sunday, May 5, when a birder found a singing Golden-winged Warbler along the Rails to Trails about a mile north of the southern end of the trail in Killbuck. Seeing a Golden-winged Warbler is an unusual experience, more so in recent years as the species is declining. Some think this is partly because of competition from the closely-related Blue-winged Warbler. Whatever the cause, finding one of these beautiful birds is a special treat. The birder made some phone calls, including one to me around noon on Sunday. After eating lunch, I drove to Killbuck and then biked to the area where the Golden-winged was heard and seen. For about 20 minutes I couldn't find it. There was a Bay-breasted Warbler singing above the trail, and the American Redstarts were back on territory. For some reason, this short section of trail always has nesting Redstarts, while they are rarely found on the rest of the 15 mile trail. Suddenly the Golden-winged began to sing, quite close to where it was found four hours earlier. For the next 45 minutes, I was able to watch and hear the bird as it foraged close to the trail. It was usually not very high in the trees, making it easy to see. The songs included the normal: "Buzzz, buz,buz,buz,buz", and the alternate song which is quite different. Blue-winged Warblers also sing two different songs that are very similar. Twice over the years I have chased down a bird that was singing what seemed like a perfect Golden-winged Warbler song, only to discover that the singer was a Blue-winged Warbler. So it pays to actually see the singer. Later in the afternoon, several other birders also found the Golden-winged. Around 5 pm, my wife Helen and I, along with another couple decided to bike to Killbuck. We stopped at the Golden-winged location and sure enough it was still singing. During the 8-9 hours it hadn't moved more than 100 yards. The bird must have left soon after that, probably overnite, since at least one birder failed to find it the next day. Good birding! Bruce Glick birderbruce@yahoo.com 330-317-7798


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