Warblers, Finally! - 13 Sep 2022

I had planned to take the day off and chase birds. Winds were forecasted to be out of the north and I was anticipating a Broad-winged Hawk flight at Detroit River Hawk Watch. Unfortunately, clouds and rain in the morning convinced to abandon the vacation day and head into work. Just before 10 am the skies were clear and winds were blowing; no hawks flew, though, so I felt some relief.

I then decided to stop by the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge this afternoon after work. Winds were slightly from the north and at a temperature of about 70F, so I hoped that maybe some warblers were moving through on the winds. I got lucky. They were!

I walked the short loop shortly before 3 pm. The east side next to the Detroit River was quiet, but as I approached the boardwalk next to the eagle blind I spotted a Cape May Warbler, several Blackpoll Warblers (not photographed), and a Bay-breasted Warbler (note the all-black feet on this "baypoll"). I managed just quick pics of both using the Sony a9 and 200-600mm lens. 

The vernal ponds next to the boardwalk were dry but the Jewelweed was in full bloom and worth a few photos. 

Nearby a Song Sparrow popped into view and started chattering as if a nest was nearby.

A Ruby-throated Hummingbird buzzed by and landed 30' away, so I grabbed a couple pics before it continued on toward the tip of the tiny peninsula.

As I made my way back to the west side of the loop I came upon a burst of warbler activity. A Cape May Warbler appeared nearby and began foraging at eye-level. I did everything I could to grab in-focus shots as it bounced in and out of view.

Farther out and overhead a Nashville Warbler popped momentarily into view. It's tiny bill prevented me from entertaining thoughts of a Connecticut or Mourning Warbler.

The Cape May Warbler kept reappearing close by so I had no choice but to keep going after it.

It was quickly ignored once a Chestnut-sided Warbler appeared just overhead. I've been looking for one all month so elation was an apt word to describe my discovery. Like the Yellow-rumped Warbler from yesterday this fella spent time eating berries instead on insects.

These Fall Chestnut-sided Warblers are, IMHO, prettier than their breeding outfits. I just love that green cap and back and bold white eye-ring.

A momentary distraction put me onto a Bay-breasted warbler (again, see the all-black feet in this baypoll).

A gorgeous male Canada Warbler appeared for a micro-second and I was unable to get the camera to focus on it. Grrrr. This has been another nemesis bird for me this fall. 

The only thing I could do was be grateful for the find and apply a watercolor filter in post.

Unable to relocate it I continued down the trail. A family of Eastern Wood-Pewees were chasing each other through the trees and one bird landed in the open. Those wing bars are the only thing that help me distinguish it from an Eastern Phoebe (also in the area).

Oh, look! Eastern Phoebe.

I decided to backtrack toward the outdoor classroom. A pair of Bay-breasted Warblers flew in and began to forage overhead. This gave me a chance to appreciate that peach-colored tint to their belly feathers and flanks. Again, if in doubt, check the feet; a Blackpoll Warbler has yellow-orange feet and black legs.

As I looped back through the boardwalk I spotted a Magnolia Warbler foraging in the dried pond, but was too far away for anything but a record pic.

Back at the junction I tripped over the dirt pile as I tried to chase a pair of Red-eyed Vireos in the hickories overhead. I settled for nearby Eastern Wood-Pewee and one of several Downy Woodpeckers. I even saw a Hairy Woodpecker but couldn't get the camera on it fast enough.

Not to be overlooked, the Chestnut-sided Warbler reappeared and needed another couple-hundred photos to be taken...

At the north end of the loop I found the family of Eastern Wood-Pewees chasing each other, again. I was going to ignore them but one bird was posing so nicely in the Sun that I had to get a few more pics.

Detroit River IWR--Refuge Gateway (Humbug Marsh), Wayne, Michigan, US
Sep 13, 2022 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
14 species

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  1
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens)  3
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)  1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  2
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  1
Nashville Warbler (Leiothlypis ruficapilla)  1
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina)  2
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)  1
Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea)  4
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)  1
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  3
Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis)  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S159166048

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)