Many folks go a lifetime without knowing that wood warblers even exist. These small neo-tropical migrants are little more than 5-inches long. They are extremely colorful and persistent songsters, but you’d be hard pressed to even see one without a good pair of binoculars. They are THE bird that birders take to the trail for every spring, bragging about and comparing their sightings.
When in breeding plumage, nothing beats the colors of our warblers. In fact, 25 of the 38 eastern warblers have yellow as their dominant color. They look like flashy winged jewels.
One warbler seriously impacted by deforestation is the Cerulean Warbler. Their numbers have plummeted by 70% over the last several decades. Forest fragmentation, strip-mining and logging have really taken a toll on Ceruleans which need large, mature, intact woods.
First arrivals to Northern Kentucky include the Louisiana Waterthrush, Yellow-throated and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Occasionally Yellow-rumped Warblers can even be spotted in the dead of winter.
Our smallest warbler is the Northern Parula at 4.5-inches, while the largest is the Yellow-breasted Chat at 7.5-inches. And, with its flame orange throat and black and orange head,
the Blackburnian Warbler may well be the hands-down favorite of most birders.
Only one of our eastern warblers is a cavity nester, the Prothonotary Warbler. Prothonotaries nest along streams and wetlands and will often use nest boxesGorgeous birds, males are brilliant yellow-orange with blue-gray wings.
No warbler travels further than does the Blackpoll Warbler. In spring some Blackpolls migrate nearly 8,000 miles one way from as far south as Argentina to Canada and Alaska. In fall many fly nonstop, over 2,000 miles in just 3 days over the open waters of the Atlantic, from New England back to South America.
True to their name, Prairie Warblers can be found in open areas, while Pine Warblers are usually found amongst pine trees. Not so true to their name, Tennessee and Nashville Warblers were named for the locations they were originally found and identified, not necessarily where they nest and raise their young north into Canada.
The most widely distributed warbler is the Yellow Warbler, with the Common Yellowthroat running a close second. Both are spectacular looking birds and occur nearly over the entire continent.
Some warblers are even hybrids. The Brewster’s Warbler is a cross between the Blue-winged and Golden-winged Warbler. While the Lawrence’s Warbler is a cross between a Brewster’s and Golden-winged or Blue-winged Warbler. And believe it or not, Cincinnati has its own warbler, the Cincinnati Warbler. Only one known specimen has ever been collected of this rare hybrid of a Kentucky Warbler and Blue-winged Warbler, and that was back in 1880.
During the month of May warblers can be seen just about anywhere. It’s just a matter of grabbing the binoculars and looking up to see these tropical visitors. They are well worth the view. And who knows, you may be only the second person to record seeing a Cincinnati Warbler.
Join Highland Cemetery, Wild Birds Unlimited and The Cincinnati Museum Center to learn more about warblers and other neo-tropical migrants. Their program, BIRDWATCHER, takes place on Thursday, March 26th from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. This family friendly program is FREE and will take place in the Cemetery’s Chapel (rain or shine). Seating is limited. Call 859-331-3220 or e-mail office@highlandcemetery to make a reservation. Highland Cemetery is located at 2167 Dixie Hwy., Ft. Mitchell.
Gayle Pille is a local naturalist and nature writer who many know through her work to establish the five-mile network of nature trails at Highland Cemetery in Ft. Mitchell. She created the cemetery’s popular 25-year-old Wildlife Enhancement Program and works with a small team of volunteers to maintain the cemetery’s wooded walking paths. An avid birdwatcher, Gayle also builds custom wildlife nest boxes for businesses, parks and residences through her business, www.woodlandhabitat.com
Contact her at gaylepille@yahoo.com