Sunday, May 29, 2011

More Warblers and a Bobolink

Finally no rain! An immature American Redstart male was singing in a low tree by the kayak landing on the West River. Rictal bristles, stiff feathers that project over the gape from above, are present in many insectivorous species, presumably helping in the capture of insects.


This inconspicuous female was foraging along the river bank


After many attempts I finally managed to get some decent images of the Prairie Warbler  returning every year to breed in an untended area of low trees and brush in a commercial part of our town.




These views show the  red streaking on the back


Several years ago I saw a Waterthrush in some trees along the edge of the West River. Ever since, when walking along the river, I have been on the look-out for one foraging along the bank. I finally saw one, a small bird, difficult to see against a backdrop of gray mud and river debris. Because of the yellow wash and the streaked throat I asssume this is a Northern rather than a Louisiana Waterthrush. Also the location, a stagnant side arm of the river, is in favor of the NW as the LW prefers fast flowing water.





Bobolinks build their nests on the ground near the base of a large forb (broad-leaved herbaceous plant other than grass) providing dense cover. To thrive they need a large undisturbed area and their survival is globally threatened by loss of grassland. Unfortunately grass cut late in the season which allows the nestlings to fledge loses much of its nutrient value for farm animals.

Several male Bobolinks were flying, singing and displaying on a high meadow next to a rarely occupied second home near me. I found this male perched on the top of one of the decorative crab apple trees by the house.




They feed mostly on seeds, grains and insects but apparently, given the opportunity, will also eat fruit.

Bobolinks begin singing early in the morning before dawn and continue with little interruption until mid morning when it becomes more sporadic.



Happy Birding!

Thanks for your visit. Please leave a comment.


27 comments:

  1. Great post, Hilke and nice to see you back.This is the second time we have tried to leave a comment. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  2. Oh wow, the Bobolinks are stunning! And the young Redstart is a beauty also... Great photos!

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  3. Lovely! Thanks for the view from your world.

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  4. Thank you, Jen, Julia and Gary. I am not sure Gary why you had trouble posting a comment, but I am glad you succeeded the second time.

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  5. ...the photo of the American Redstart is just beautiful...and the bobolinks too. Rick and I haven't seen our Louisiana Waterthrush again since the initial sighting. I hope we catch sight of him again before he heads south for the winter. Glad you were able to get photos of yours!

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  6. A great selection Hilke. Especially like that first shot of the Prairie Warbler.

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  7. Good photos, especially the first one!!

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  8. Your lead photo is incredible Hilke! What a brilliant, discerning eye you have. I really appreciate and admire your knowledge base too. I guess it's tough to find them if you don't know where to look. An excellent post...glad you've got the sun back!

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  9. Many thanks for your comments :-)!!

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  10. Your birds are beautiful to see Hilke.
    Many thanks for sharing your lovely images.

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  11. All are great captures! I particularly like the Bobolink photos.

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  12. Beautiful birds. The detail in the first photo is especially good.

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  13. I thought I left a comment, but it must have gotten lost. Love all the warbler and the first Redstart shot is awesome and I love the Bobolink. Great post and photos.

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  14. Oh, how I love Bobolinks! I have only seen them once in my life and fell instantly in love! Now that I know about them, I cannot imagine a world without them! I hope we can save this species! You are so lucky to have them nearby!

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  15. P.S. that prairie warbler is outstanding also!

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  16. I really enjoyed seeing all your birds! I remember seeing/hearing bobolinks when I lived in Saskatchewan. . .

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  17. Great Bobolink photos..I really had a hard time getting pictures of them when in WV. Nice to see yours!
    Nice shots of all the birds...the photo of the Redstart and those Rictal bristles are very cool!!

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  18. Nice photos of those wonderful birds! My favorite is the first, so lovely!!

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  19. Hi there - great set of shots. I was intersted to see the Rictal bristles on your first bird. My last post (not the most recent one) shows a Tawny Frogmouth, which is a Nightjar of sorts - and there arounf it beak are what I take to be Rictal bristles. Not very close relatives, but the same adaptation.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Australia

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  20. I've never even heard of a bobolink but they are wonderful! Your photos are most excellent!

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  21. Many nice shots here! That Redstart shot is fabulous!

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  22. Terrific PHotos--glad you got your Prairie Warbler shot!!

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  23. Wow! Excellent capture of the Rictal bristles on the immature Redstart singing.
    Great and informative post!

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  24. My oh my, how colourful they are. Does the first one really have a hairy throat is is that the music blasting forth? Magnificent captures.

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  25. Thank you, thank you, thank you Hilke for sharing such amazing photos!!! Loved your informational comments as well :-))))

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