If so, I have answers for you. I’m Daniel Edelstein — biologist, birding guide, birding instructor (www.warblerwatch.com and danieledelstein@att.net) — who ponders: Are there any wonders in our world more fascinating than the elegant beauty of wood-warblers? (All photos ©Martin Meyers unless otherwise noted.) By the way, my upcoming new adult college birding class is featured at danielsmerrittclasses.blogspot.com.
Warbler Guy, which web site is good for seeing warbler photos and learning warbler songs? Which web site will help me improve my birding by ear for warblers? Will my song identification of warblers get better with your recommendations?
Sally (in Tucson)….
It’s amazing how fantastic the web site AllAboutBirds.org is the answer to all your (excellent) questions.
Simply type in the name of the warbler you think is the one you detected.
Result, you’ll see photos of it and corresponding vocalizations (both songs and calls).
Even if your ID is wrong, the “look-alike,” similar appearing warbler species will be shown at every choice you make when trying to ID a warbler that causes both enjoyment and puzzlement, in terms of knowing its common name identity.
Does this answer your questions, Sally?
Please feel free to visit my web site — WarblerWatch.com — where other information about N. American warblers and the myriad other USA birds are highlighted.
Regards, Daniel Edelstein
WarblerWatch.com (features wood-warbler info. & other birding information for N. CA & the USA)
Warbler Guy, which warbler species are the initial ones that return to the San Francisco Bay in spring? Are migrating warblers returning now?
Reply
Warbler Guy, which warbler species are the initial ones that return to the San Francisco Bay in spring? Are migrating warblers returning now?
Haley, those are excellent questions.
The short answer is Orange-crowned Warbler is the typical, initial wood-warbler species to appear annually by February as a true, returning migrant among the nine SF Bay Area counties.
The true, arriving migrants that settle to nest here may join a small number that appear to “over-winter” in the SF Bay Area. (It’s also possible the “over-wintering” individuals leave during spring and seek other breeding ground territory.
Next on the landscape as arriving migrant wood-warblers here: Common Yellowthroat and Wilson’s Warbler appear by no later than later March (or, if late, early April) annually. Soon after, the initial Black-throated Gray and Hermit Warbler nesters arrive. (Note the latter four noted above sometimes, also, are detected as “over-wintering” individuals, especially during Christmas Bird Count surveys that occur throughout the holiday season period of late December – early January, annually, in the SF Bay Area.
A good source for noting the “Arrival Times” of northern CA wood-warbler species: Go to the pulldown menu at my web site (WarblerWatch.com) and choose “Bird Arrival Times” at the “Birding Links” pulldown menu option at the top of the home page for WarblerWatch.com
Regards and happy birding, Daniel Edelstein
WarblerWatch.com
WarblerGuy, when does the first true migrant warbler species return to the SF Bay Area?
Lori (in Kentfield, CA):
In February annually, Orange-crowned Warbler individuals arrive as the earliest wood-warbler migrant…….and they join a few over-wintering individuals……though it’s possible the latter may leave to nest elsewhere (See range map, below).
(Orange-crowned Warbler, above….courtesy of Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
A far larger pulse of this common nester throughout n. CA arrives on breeding grounds by March.
Interestingly, among all wood-warblers to complete their nesting cycle early, this ground-nesting one often does so….I’ve walked forested areas where hearing their song is a daily experience. Then, by mid-May, I never hear their trilling lyricism until I visit the higher altitudes in the state (such as the Sierra Madres mountain range three hours east of Marin County where I live and host the majority of my n. CA birding tours as a guide.
One amazing aspect of Orange-crowned Warblers’ behavior occurs post-breeding. Upon leaving a nesting area, many do not migrate south, but instead move to higher altitudes, including foothill areas east of Marin Co. and as high as 6,000+ feet. Bird banders have noticed these movements by recapturing banded individuals in the Sierra that were initially temporarily captured in nets in SF Bay Area counties, including Marin Co.
At the higher altitudes where periodic summer rainstorms occur (especially in the afternoon), larger abundance of insect fauna exist as prey base for Orange-crowned. By August and beyond into autumn, it’s thought these individual eventually migrate south to s. CA and as far as s. Mexico and portions of Belize (adjacent to Mexico).
Warbler Guy, my California bird tour means I’m looking for rare birds in California. Where do I find rare California birds on a listserv?
Hi Jeremiah….and your query is a periodic question I receive, so I’m glad to help, below.
Here’s the answer to your question, above: I suggest your first move is to check:
http://digest.sialia.com/?rm=all_lists
….as this site a composite list featuring all the listserv sites in California where birders add their bird sightings.
At sialia.com, you’ll see a left column by which you can one-by-one click on a chosen region of California….Upon doing so for one region, you’ll see a list of the latest bird sightings lists posted by birders.
As for common annual and upcoming migration, I am pleased to note that I
currently have begun to hear the courtship “peek” sound from male Anna’s Hummingbirds (and, actually, since October, 2022).
During this process, males descend during their courtship dance, air rushing through their tail feathers at the bottom of their elevator drop initiates the “peek” sound.
By December annually, eggs are added to nests in the SF Bay Area, with Great Horned Owl joining the maternity ward by January annually as females incubate eggs or hatch them.
Interestingly, also, the earliest returning Allen’s Hummingbirds may begin returning by next and beyond through February and March to SF Bay Area coastal breeding locations. I expect the initial report of a returning Allen’s Hummingbird to appear at sialia.com by 1/15/23 or soon after.
Other questions? Glad to help: danieledelstein@att.net
Please feel free to see the “Birding Tours” and “Birding Links“ sections.
Regards, Daniel
Problem Upgrading Site
My web site — warblerwatch.com — is “enabled” but I am not able to “upgrade” it…..I’m trying to eliminate ads at my web site.
Solution?
I sent the following message via the “help forum” a moment ago as backup to this one:
Please note: For 8 weeks with your kind help, a solution is STILL not happening for me to upgrade my web site so that I can eliminate ads. I’ve tried. You have tried. But no one who has suggested remedies from your team has been able to help me. The problem remains that no one has told me how to send an attachment to show my situation. An attachment would show you a screenshot of the screen I encounter where the problem occurs. Here’s where the problem occurs and I’ll describe it because this “Contact Us” area has no ability to send an attachment: the two-year payment screen is present. I choose it. I add all my essential information. All is perfect. But the screen never gets past “thinking” as it states a recalculation of how much I owe occurs…..and the final ability to click on “submit” never occurs. Solution?
Regards, Daniel
*
Daniel Edelstein
Certified Wildlife Biologist Asc.
(Surveys, Permitting, Regulatory Services…possess five survey permits) (Permit #101743-0)
Avian Biologist & Birding Guide
12 Kingfisher Ct.
Novato, CA 94949
415-382-1827 (O) 415-246-5404 (iPhone)
warblerwatch.com
(hosts my resume)
warblerwatch.blogspot.com
(My 12-year-old warbler-centric blog, featuring articles, warbler news, & photo quizzes)
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