May is a wonderful time to see some special little migrants. As the temperature climbs and the days grow longer, tiny Warblers arrive in our area. Some of them will stay to nest, while others are passing through on their way to nesting grounds that are further north. All of the Warblers arrive hungry, and are usually not too worried about human presence as they hunt for insects in and around the trees near a lake or stream.

.

Blackburnian Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler

Tiny gnats and flies are everywhere. If the birds sit still for even a moment, the insects land on them. Look closely......

Cape May Warbler

Some of the first Warblers

to arrive in our area in the Spring are the Yellow-rumped Warblers and the Palm Warblers. They often appear as a mixed flock, and sometimes parts of a tree will almost appear to be moving as they feed busily in the branches.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Palm Warblers flick their tails as they hop around the trees, and are easily identified by this action. They have a burgundy-rust cap above a yellow face and throat. Palm Warblers can often be observed feeding at eye level at very close range.

Palm Warblers

The Yellow Warbler is a delightful, cheerful little bird with reddish streaks on its bright yellow chest (male). It has a lovely, distinctive song.

Yellow Warbler

A personal favourite of mine is the flashy, colourful Magnolia Warbler. This particular bird hopped out for a quick photo, then disappeared back into the evergreen branches again.

Magnolia Warbler

Although most of these photographs were taken last week along the Lake Huron shoreline, all of the Warblers on this page can be seen in our area (Floradale) in the springtime. See the "Gallery" page for more Warbler photos.