Saturday, September 29, 2012

Warbler Whoas

***ID`s updated after being confirmed by Dwayne...thanks!!

On September 20, 2012, after dropping my daughter off at the pool in Blenheim, I headed to the Lagoons.  I hadn`t been there for quite some time and was excited to see what was there.  There were a few species of ducks around with many individuals of each specie, but even with bins and camera, I have a hard time identifying them....that was the story for evening!  Outside of Canada Geese and the large amounts of Barn and Tree swallows, I couldn`t positively identify a single bird!  Talk about frustration!  Most of what I saw were warblers (or at least I think they are warblers...).  I got a few decent shots, but I find warblers confusing at the best of times and this is clearly fall.  So, at the risk of embarrassing myself, I will post some of the pics I got with my "best guess" as to the ID and my rationale...what I am hoping is one of you more experienced birders that drop by once in awhile can chime in and "teach" me a bit about warblers....here goes....

This next bird I have tentatively ID'd as a Yellow-Rumped Warber.  It has the yellow rump, yellow on the sides, a white-ish throat, and broken eye ring.  It is greener than the Cape May seems to be in field guides.

Confirmed Yellow-rumped Warbler

Confirmed Yellow-rumped Warbler

Confirmed Yellow-rumped Warbler
The next bird I have tentatively ID'd as a Palm Warlber.  The whitish eyebrow, whitish throat, and yellowish underparts make me think this is a Palm.  The fourth picture, assuming it is of the same specie, shows the bright yellow undertail coverts.  The fourth bird was in a different spot and the lighting was different.

Confirmed Palm Warbler

Confirmed Palm Warbler

Confirmed Palm Warbler
Confirmed Palm Warbler
Aside from Warbler Whoas, I also experienced difficulties with what appears to be shorebirds and a sparrow variety of some sort.  Here are those pics...

These birds appear to me to be shorebirds, based on their long necks and thick bodies.  These 5 were always together and always out of reach of my bins and camera...I haven't even attempted a guess at these guys!


Thanks for the ID Dwayne...Red-necked Phalarope
There was also this sparrow...I have ID'd this bird Song, Swamp and White-throated for one reason or another and ruled them out for one reason or another.  Sparrows are tricky...

Thanks for another ID Dwayne...Lincoln Sparrow

Lincoln Sparrow

Lincoln Sparrow
I have other pictures of other unknown birds from today, but I think you get the picture....it was a tough day for me ID wise, but it was great day to see lots of birds!  I will leave you with a couple pictures of one of the few I confidently ID'd this day...let's hope I got it right..due to the lighting, the brilliant blue got washed out, but I liked the pictures anyway.  Usually they are moving too quick for a decent shot.

Tree Swallows

Tree Swallow

Tree Swallow
So, if you can help me figure out any of the birds I have tentatively ID'd, I would be very grateful :)  Leave me a comment or shoot me an email....

2 comments:

  1. Tiffanie, great posting! I think the 5 shorebirds are Red-necked Phalaropes! The sparrow looks like a Lincoln's Sparrow. Both are great birds! I agree with your Warbler ID's. Good birding!

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  2. Thanks for the feedback Dwayne! I am pleased to know I got the warblers right....it took me a long time to figure those out! Thanks for the ID's of my mystery birds too :)

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