I adore warblers and am always so excited when they begin to show up and when I am out hiking and can hear them off in the woods or by a wet land. I am not as good at recognizing their songs as I would like to be but am getting there. Thank you for sharing. Birding has been a joy to me for over 40 years
Spring migration at High Island, TX can be warbler heaven if the winds are right. Those beautiful little birds never fail to lift my spirits, and I mourn their decline.
Beautifully written, and gorgeous photos! So true on all counts - we love them, they brighten our lives, and we all need to speak out for their protection. Cats indoors, folks. Write your congresspeople. Make noise. It's for the birds. Huge thanks, Bryan!
Rachel Carson would applaud your post. It's sad to hear about the birds declining in numbers. I've noticed this decline during my 60 years on terra firma.
When I was a child during the 1970s, the lawn was covered in an assortment of birds. Now, it's rare if I ever encounter a goldfinch.
Rachel is one of my heroes too. When I was in Jacksonville, Vermont the summer of 2022, I walked past a field of milk thistle and other flowers. I felt Rachel's presence among the butterflies. She was asking me to pay attention and to focus on the butterflies.
Then when I was in the Pittsburgh area I thought of visiting Springdale where Rachel was born. But then I saw the town had turned industrial with smoke stacks so I changed my mind and never took that trip. It seemed like an insult to her legacy for her hometown to become industrial. Plus, the historic home associated Rachel was closed for renovation.
As we lose so much I do find joy and beauty is singular occurrences; one black and white warbler calling, a single pine elfin in my driveway, the full moon rising over the distant line of white pines.
Bryan, this entire post is brilliant . Just reading your own definition of warbler, hits me straight into my bird heart, where everything I love about birds is wrapped in its own little nest. I listened to the same trio of warblers today, camouflaged in the new leaves , switching positions to either side of the trail , enhancing their songs. As if the trees themselves were singing . I will add the Black-throated Blue Warbler and Pine Warbler. “We are a death-watch that should not exist. We’re counting what we’re losing.” Like listening to Claude Debussy’s Clair de lune, sometimes so beautiful it hurts .There might be a bit of melancholy, mixed with a light heart, next time I tune in.
“Warblers are good for you. Please find some”. May the coming week be filled with magical warbling notes. I think I will turn away from the news during this week to fully celebrate the Warblers and friends. After all, what’s the worst thing that could happen in a week 😳🙈🙉🧨.
This makes my day, Lor. Thanks. Yep, I well up a lot in the presence of beauty these days. It's good for us (like warblers). As it turns out, I'm off to the bogs today for rare butterflies!
Gosh, tearing up and remembering the best birding days with Bryan, John, Sharon, Joan, Linda and so many others. Thank you for those wonderful days and friends. Jo
European warblers are wonderful too, despite their more sober clothing. They sing beautifully. Plus, here in Scotland, two of our warblers, Chiffchaff and Blackcap are increasing in numbers, because they're evolving to migrate shorter distances (though many birds in the Uk are declining drastically, I've just finished reading an excellent book Say Goodbye to the Cuckoo by Michael McCarthy which celebrates migratory UK songbirds while documenting their decline). When i last did a butterfly survey around Edinburgh's Agro-ecology farm, I was lucky enough to get great views of several Whitethroats, one of our prettiest warblers.
I'm truly glad to read this, Juliet. I do hope to spend time with European warblers some day. And thanks for the mention of McCarthy's book. I haven't read it (but it's now on my reading list). His "The Moth Snowstorm" was beautiful and painful.
Thanks for the piece. As a casual birder I’ve been exploring the birds in my backyard. For every warbler I identify visually the sound feature on my Merlin app picks up five or six. Old eyes, tinnitus and mobility issues have taken a toll.
Beautifully written, superb photos and excellent definitions. I live in an Indian hill-station for the last five years and have been mourning decline in bird populations. Thanks for such a beautiful elaboration
Thank you, love hanging with the Yellow Warblers
Thanks, Bob. I've probably seen thousands of Yellow Warblers, and yet I will never grow tired of them for as long as I walk this earth.
I adore warblers and am always so excited when they begin to show up and when I am out hiking and can hear them off in the woods or by a wet land. I am not as good at recognizing their songs as I would like to be but am getting there. Thank you for sharing. Birding has been a joy to me for over 40 years
We are so fortunate to have them in our lives — aren't we, Beth? Thanks for reading!
Spring migration at High Island, TX can be warbler heaven if the winds are right. Those beautiful little birds never fail to lift my spirits, and I mourn their decline.
Indeed! That Hooded Warbler image in my post came from High Island!
Beautifully written, and gorgeous photos! So true on all counts - we love them, they brighten our lives, and we all need to speak out for their protection. Cats indoors, folks. Write your congresspeople. Make noise. It's for the birds. Huge thanks, Bryan!
Thanks, D. I wish we were out there among them again!
Rachel Carson would applaud your post. It's sad to hear about the birds declining in numbers. I've noticed this decline during my 60 years on terra firma.
When I was a child during the 1970s, the lawn was covered in an assortment of birds. Now, it's rare if I ever encounter a goldfinch.
High praise indeed. Thanks, Patricia. Carson is my hero. I'll be watching warblers on her birthday, May 27.
Rachel is one of my heroes too. When I was in Jacksonville, Vermont the summer of 2022, I walked past a field of milk thistle and other flowers. I felt Rachel's presence among the butterflies. She was asking me to pay attention and to focus on the butterflies.
Then when I was in the Pittsburgh area I thought of visiting Springdale where Rachel was born. But then I saw the town had turned industrial with smoke stacks so I changed my mind and never took that trip. It seemed like an insult to her legacy for her hometown to become industrial. Plus, the historic home associated Rachel was closed for renovation.
In my Rachel Carson comment I meant Springdale, not Oakdale.
So good. I mean you can take virtually any piece of the nature puzzle and turn it into a holograph for the whole universe.
Or even find an entire universe in one tiny warbler!
As we lose so much I do find joy and beauty is singular occurrences; one black and white warbler calling, a single pine elfin in my driveway, the full moon rising over the distant line of white pines.
I'm all in on this, Sue. It's so much of the way I am in nature now. Thanks!
I thank you for building this caring community
Bryan, this entire post is brilliant . Just reading your own definition of warbler, hits me straight into my bird heart, where everything I love about birds is wrapped in its own little nest. I listened to the same trio of warblers today, camouflaged in the new leaves , switching positions to either side of the trail , enhancing their songs. As if the trees themselves were singing . I will add the Black-throated Blue Warbler and Pine Warbler. “We are a death-watch that should not exist. We’re counting what we’re losing.” Like listening to Claude Debussy’s Clair de lune, sometimes so beautiful it hurts .There might be a bit of melancholy, mixed with a light heart, next time I tune in.
“Warblers are good for you. Please find some”. May the coming week be filled with magical warbling notes. I think I will turn away from the news during this week to fully celebrate the Warblers and friends. After all, what’s the worst thing that could happen in a week 😳🙈🙉🧨.
This makes my day, Lor. Thanks. Yep, I well up a lot in the presence of beauty these days. It's good for us (like warblers). As it turns out, I'm off to the bogs today for rare butterflies!
a moving piece. thanks.
Gosh, tearing up and remembering the best birding days with Bryan, John, Sharon, Joan, Linda and so many others. Thank you for those wonderful days and friends. Jo
Those memories will never fade, Jo -- they're so precious! Thanks SO MUCH!
Too often these days visits into nature come with a sense of loss - but birds are always a joy.
Birds are indeed always a joy. Thanks, James.
European warblers are wonderful too, despite their more sober clothing. They sing beautifully. Plus, here in Scotland, two of our warblers, Chiffchaff and Blackcap are increasing in numbers, because they're evolving to migrate shorter distances (though many birds in the Uk are declining drastically, I've just finished reading an excellent book Say Goodbye to the Cuckoo by Michael McCarthy which celebrates migratory UK songbirds while documenting their decline). When i last did a butterfly survey around Edinburgh's Agro-ecology farm, I was lucky enough to get great views of several Whitethroats, one of our prettiest warblers.
I'm truly glad to read this, Juliet. I do hope to spend time with European warblers some day. And thanks for the mention of McCarthy's book. I haven't read it (but it's now on my reading list). His "The Moth Snowstorm" was beautiful and painful.
I've not yet read The Moth Snowstorm but it is on my reading list!
Thanks for the piece. As a casual birder I’ve been exploring the birds in my backyard. For every warbler I identify visually the sound feature on my Merlin app picks up five or six. Old eyes, tinnitus and mobility issues have taken a toll.
I’m there with you! I would miss so much more sans hearing aids!
Beautifully written, superb photos and excellent definitions. I live in an Indian hill-station for the last five years and have been mourning decline in bird populations. Thanks for such a beautiful elaboration
Thanks so much, Atari. I’m sending you sympathy and solidarity from so far away.