Sunday, May 10, 2009

A Chestnut-sided Warbler on the Trail and a Butter Butt at the Heronry (BPW #37)

This little Chestnut-sided Warbler showed up on the Little Miami Bike Trail May 2, and I’ve seen several others since then. If I'm lucky, I might stumble across a few more over the next week or so, but by the end of May, their numbers will dwindle as the majority will have passed through Cincinnati, already arriving on the northernmost parts of their breeding grounds. I love spotting Chestnut-sided Warblers. Their bellies are so white, and their chestnut sides and little yellow crowns really stand out.


Chestnut-sided Warblers prefer second-growth forests, so extensive cutting of mature forests for farmland in the 1800s benefitted these little birds, and they had quite a population explosion because of it. Today, however, some local populations are experiencing a slight decline as many forests mature. The Chestnut-sided Warbler is also sensitive to urbanization and habitat fragmentation, and that's never good.

This photo shows his habit of holding his tail 
partly cocked with his wings slightly drooped. 

I love it when I catch these little "Bullet Bird" shots. They 
just make me laugh...more powerful than a speeding bullet...

Looks like his bill is pointed north. I hope he has a successful 
summer, and a whole brood of young fly south in the autumn!

I grabbed this photo of another Yellow-rumped Warbler at the Great Blue Heron heronry on May 3. He was in the woods at the bottom of the field, gleaning insects from leaves. He too has almost ended his stay in our area…continuing to work his way north to raise a little family.

I love these little Butter Butts. They are so precious. I 
would like to capture a photo that clearly shows that little pat 
of butter on his rump one of these days...maybe next year!

He is always described as the most prevalent migrating 
warbler, which is just fine, because he’s so darn cute! 
Hopefully there's always plenty of him to go around.


This is my first time to participate in Bird Photography Weekly. 

25 comments:

Linda McGeary said...

Hi Kelly, what a sweet Mother's Day post. I loved that little Momma.
And the Warblers, Butter Butts, and all your many delightful pictures.
Thanks for your visit too. I always appreciate your comments.
Hope you had a great day!

holdingmoments said...

More interesting birds Kelly.
Love that description, bullet bird, and a great capture too.

Kim said...

Great warbler pictures Kelly. I love the Chestnut-sided. One of my favorite warblers.

Chris said...

Hi Kelly,
Another of these nice messages of yours. I love these warbler pictures and specially the jumping one.. This is a very dynamic one!!

Anonymous said...

Two beautiful little birds Kelly.

Anonymous said...

These are really nice photos. I also like the bullet birds. I got a male cardinal like that once and you have seen my pileated woodpecker. I wish we had birds like that on our Wolf Creek Rail Trail (not sure that is the new official name though -- it runs from Trotwood, through Brookville, and ends in Verona, Ohio -- 13 miles).I like the looks of the flowers in the store. Krogers, here where we live, does a real nice job, too, of displaying their flowers.

My Birds Blog

Rattlinantler said...

great set of warbler shots! I have had no luck with them. Awesome photos and you are so lucky~

Mary said...

Bullet birds, butter butts...you had an alliterative day :-) The photos are great.

Roy said...

Great shots! I've never seen a Chestnut-sided Warbler before; we may not get them around here. We do get Yellow-rumped Warblers here, but only in Winter, so I've never seen them in the breeding plumage you have there.

Laure Ferlita said...

Butter butts and bullet birds but without Jedi mind tricks?! Such a fun post!! Love learning about these creatures I have not seen before!

Allison said...

I don't know why, but the name "Butter Butt" has had me in total stitches! Maybe because I could be called that, since every pat of butter I eat seems to go straight to my backside!

Kelly said...

...thanks, Linda...you too!!

thank, Keith.

Kim...thank you...love them too.

Chris...dynamic is a very good description. Thanks!

Roy...thank you!

Abe...I did see your pileated imitating a bullet. They are so funny!

Rattlinantler and Mary....thank you!!

Roy...you're lucky to get the yellow-rumps in the winter. I guess they eat berries then...

Laure and Tutta....doesn't that name crack you up!! It's a perfect nickname. The first time I read it, I knew exactly which bird they were referring to, though. It's so descriptive.

Bob Kaufman said...

Welcome to the Bird Photography Weekly, Kelly. Those are really nice shots of the Chestnut-sided and the "butter butt".

gwen said...

Lovely first for the Bird Photography Weekly, Kelly. Very informative post and great shots.

Vickie said...

My yard was full of yellow-rumped warblers last week, singing everywhere! I so enjoyed it. Terrific images of both.

Anonymous said...

: ) I love Chestnut-sided Warblers. The third picture serves to remind us that no warbler will stand still for any photographer!

BirdingMaine said...

Welcome to BPW Kelly!

Wonderful photos for your beginning post, Butter Butts and Chesnut-sided Warbler!

Warren Baker said...

keep the ''warbler watch'' going kelly. You need to show me the Worm eating one!!

mick said...

Great photos and very nice that you get a chance to see those birds as they migrate through.

Montanagirl said...

Great job Kelly. I love the Chestnut sided Warbler. He's gorgeous. I've never seen of those before.

Neil said...

I love the names of the birds you have. Nice photos.

Dawn Fine said...

Howdee...
Great blog and Wonderful Photos..
I added your blog to my blogroll so I will remember to come back and visit..
thanks for visiting my blog.

Kelly said...

Bob and Cynthia....thank you!!! I'm glad I decided to participate in BPW because I found so many new blogs to visit.

Gwendolen....thank you!!!

Vickie....thanks....I know, and soon many of the warblers will be gone, but some stay around to nest.

Steve...you are so right. That photo cracks me up. Usually that's what they're doing. Flying from branch to branch!

Birding Maine....thank you!!

Warren...I will....my favorite time...I WISH I had a photo of the Worm-eating Warbler. I'm on the hunt for it!!

Mick...thank you. Yes, it's a favorite time of year. So exciting because you never know what's going to be there.

Montanagirl...thank you! He is a favorite...

Neil...thank you!!!

Dawn....thank you for stopping by and joining up! I always enjoy your blog and your many adventures!

Ginnymo said...

What pretty little birds! I have yet to see a Warbler. Hopefully someday.

Kelly said...

...as they migrate north, you'll probably start hearing them first. After you get used to their calls, you'll start seeing them in your trees. You have such a beautiful wooded lot, there has to a be a few there.