Ecologist Susan Harrison always manages to come through when I’m low on photos, as I am now. Today she sends us a batch of birds from Ohio. Susan’s captions and IDs are indented, and you can enlarge the photos by clicking on them.
Magee Marsh, Ohio and its many warblers (and others)
The Great Lakes are a significant obstacle for songbirds struggling north from the tropics to breed in the vast, insect-rich expanses of high latitude North America. Abundant warblers and other small migrants congregate in mid-May in the boggy forests along the lakes’ southern shores. There, many species tank up on bugs and await favorable winds for the long water crossing, while others settle and breed.
In turn, birdwatchers also convene for this annual avian spectacle. Mid-May at Magee Marsh, on Lake Erie east of Toledo, has become known as “The Biggest Week in American Birding”. A friendly and festive atmosphere prevails as throngs of birders move along boardwalks peering into dense foliage and high treetops. This year, I was fortunate to combine a work trip with seeing peak migration at Magee Marsh.
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citraea) nesting pair:
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia):
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca):
Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea):
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica):
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla):
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens):
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens):
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina):
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia):
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus):
Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus):
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus):
Gorgeous colors and composition.
Such a great set! I imagine scenes of many big long lenses, all pointing in the same direction.That would be so much fun!
That is exactly what the scene looked like. Follow the lenses to find the birds!
Fabulous pics, thanks! I’d heard of Magee Marsh only recently (despite growing up in Cleveland!) and definitely want to visit.
Wonderful pictures! I can understand why those birds congregate at the southern margins of the Great Lakes. Like ships taking on provisions before setting sail, the birds have to bulk up before attempting the crossing.
Lovely photos and such gorgeous birds!
Plus, I learned a new word today:
A prothonotary is the chief clerk of a court, primarily in the civil division, and is responsible for recording and maintaining court records, particularly in Pennsylvania and other common law jurisdictions. The word “prothonotary” is derived from Latin, meaning “first notary”.
The Prothonotary Warbler got its name from the bright yellow robes worn by papal clerks, known as prothonotaries, in the Roman Catholic church.
Cool!! They should form conclaves with Cardinals 🙂
What fantastic photos! I have no idea how you got such stunning photos of birds who never seem to sit still long enough to identify or photograph them.
With warblers, the normal ratio of 100 photos taken for every one kept goes up to more like 500 taken for every one kept. And composition is done not by intention but by elimination. 🙂
I am reassured to hear that! I don’t photograph the birds but have enough trouble even finding them sometimes. Merlin confirmed that a song I was hearing all over was a Rose-breasted Grosbeak but as far as I could tell they are invisible. I will go out again this afternoon but the trees are fully leafed out and it’s an exercise in frustration. I’m in awe of your photos!
Those are great photos. I especially love the second shot of the Warbler. Thanks!
Beautiful photos!
Thanks for sharing.
Magee marsh in Ohio is indeed a famous birding Mecca, and one that I’ve always wished to visit for its warblers and other migrants. Thank you for giving us this experience vicariously. You must have timed your visit perfectly, as judged by your beautiful photographic collection of stunningly gorgeous migrants. I have several times been to Point Pelee (another birding Mecca) on the other side of Lake Erie during a migratory “fallout”, so I know how exciting such birding can be.
Seeing a fallout must have been truly amazing!
Anxiety about crossing the international border kept us from going to Pt. Pelee, alas. We did travel around Ohio a bit to pick up additional warblers, including the lovely Cerulean.
Now if you could get a fine picture of a Cerulean Warbler, that would be truly awesome!
Yep, that will do it… and saved the day, bravo!
An embarrassment of warblers! Beautiful.
Marvelous photos! Thank you.
Superb–birds and photos. Thanks!
Lovely photos Susan, thanks for sharing them!
Ooh!
Beautiful!