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Every spring I wait anxiously for the first warbler to arrive back in my area, In a patch of pines not 5 minutes from my house. I start trekking out there on April 1 in hope of spotting them. I usually encounter the brown creepers first with their melodic song. Its a sure sign that we are moving to spring. I walk around waiting to hear that trill of the pine warbler oblivious to the other things happening around me. While the pine warbler isnt a neo-tropical it does leave the area for the winter . Anxious to see if i had gotten rusty over the winter shooting small erratic birds. Then I hear it ! Unmistakable call from the top of the pines, my heart races as I look frantically at all the tree tops to see where they are flitting about. I am also aware not only is it usually my first pine warbler of the season it would also be my first ticks. I ahve a tendency to cut right through the most tick infested areas to get a pic. I have sprayed tick repellent but i know this is just a temporary barrier , I need to get in and get out. As I approach the bird I notice he isnt all that afraid of me and I am able to get close and get some very cool pics, mostly of his backside! I grab my stills and a little video and i'm off, smiling knowing this the beginning of another spring migration. Next bird in line will be the Blue gray gnatcatcher which typically is about a week behind this bird. stay tuned!
Pine Warbler
Setophaga pinus
A medium-sized, rather robust and long-tailed warbler, with a noticeably stout bill. Variable plumage, from bright adult males with extensive yellow throat to extremely dull grayish-brown immature females. Always look for two white wingbars, diffuse streaking on the sides of the breast, large bill, and long narrow tail with a shallow notch. Well-named: almost always found in pine trees throughout the year. In spring and summer, listen for loud musical trill (compare with Chipping Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco). Occasionally visits feeders, especially for suet. A short-distance migrant, wintering entirely in the United States.
