Category Archives: New England warblers

For the Birds: This trip up north was a long time in coming

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Photo by Chris Bosak A pair of loons at Second Connecticut Lake in Pittsburg, NH, June 2025.

It had been several years since I had been to Pittsburg, NH, a place I used to visit three times a year or more back in the day.

My visits gradually became more infrequent as I got older, gained work and family responsibilities and grew less inclined to make the long drive. Besides, moose sightings had become increasingly rare up there, while they used to be a sure thing. Moose had always been the main attraction for me and many others who visit there.

Even so, the area has retained a special place in my heart, and I often long to be there. I just wish I could teleport there with my truck, canoe and camping equipment.

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Warblers up north

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Photo by Chris Bosak A Canada warbler in Pittsburg, NH, June 2025.

Here are a few warblers I saw on my trip up north. Previously, I had posted photos of loons and an eagle. Canada warblers and magnolia warblers are similar looking with their bright yellow chests and bellies streaked with black. There some obvious differences, such as the eyes. Canada warblers have an obvious eye ring, while magnolia warblers have a black mask with less obvious broken eye ring.

Photo by Chris Bosak A magnolia warbler in Pittsburg, NH, June 2025.
Photo by Chris Bosak A Canada warbler in Pittsburg, NH, June 2025.

A few more warbler photos

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Photo by Chris Bosak Blackburnian warbler at Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa., May 2025.

Here are a few warbler photos I took earlier this month and never got around to posting, until now. The photos don’t do it justice, but the blackburnian warbler is one of the more strikingly colored birds that pass through New England. The warbler migration is winding down, but the ones that nest in our region will keep us busy and occupied for the next few months.

Photo by Chris Bosak Blackburnian warbler at Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa., May 2025.
Photo by Chris Bosak Bay breasted warbler at Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa., May 2025.
Photo by Chris Bosak Chestnut-sided warbler at Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa., May 2025.
Photo by Chris Bosak Black-and-white warbler, New England, spring 2025.
Photo by Chris Bosak Blackburnian warbler at Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa., May 2025.

Singing in the Spring: Blue-winged warbler

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Photo by Chris Bosak A blue-winged warbler sings in New England, spring 2025.

Here is the latest photo in the Singing in the Spring series: the blue-winged warbler. One of my favorite warblers, blue-winged warblers arrived back in New England over the last two weeks. They nest in New England and have a song that sounds more insect-like than bird-like.

A few more early warblers

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Photo by Chris Bosak Palm warbler in New England, April 2025.

My first warbler (a pine warbler) showed up on March 31. Here are numbers two and three for the year: yellow-rumped warbler and palm warbler, both seen today (Friday, April 11, 2025). More to come in the weeks ahead!

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Early start to warbler season

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Photo by Chris Bosak A pine warbler seen March 31, 2025, at Huntington State Park in Redding, Connecticut.

Pine warblers and palm warblers are typically the earliest warblers to arrive in New England in the spring. This year, the pines showed earlier than usual (at least in my estimation.) I found at least two pine warblers yesterday (March 31, 2025) at Huntington State Park in southern Connecticut. Here’s hoping the rest of the spring migration is as good.

Drop me a line and let me know what you’re seeing out there.

Photo by Chris Bosak A pine warbler seen March 31, 2025, at Huntington State Park in Redding, Connecticut.
Photo by Chris Bosak A pine warbler seen March 31, 2025, at Huntington State Park in Redding, Connecticut.

A few birds from this morning’s walk

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Photo by Chris Bosak – Field sparrow, New England, April 2024.

Judging from my own experience this morning and several posts on birding community websites, last night was a good night for migration with many of the long-awaited warblers and other songbirds arriving this morning. I had 43 species on my eBird list, including a few warblers, rose-breasted grosbeak, Louisiana waterthrush, Baltimore oriole, and American woodcock.

Here are a few shots from the day.

Photo by Chris Bosak – Ovenbird, New England, April 2024.
Photo by Chris Bosak – Eastern towhee, New England, April 2024.
Photo by Chris Bosak – Louisiana waterthrush, New England, April 2024.
Photo by Chris Bosak – Chipping sparrow with nesting material, New England, April 2024.

A few birds from a late-April morning walk: field sparrow, eastern towhee, bald eagle

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Photo by Chris Bosak – Field sparrow, April 2022.

Not as many migrants as I expected, but a good walk nonetheless at Huntington State Park in Redding, Conn. I heard only one warbler (black-and-white), but I have heard and seen dozens of eastern towhees over the last two days. It’s (arguably) the best time of year to be out there. No excuses! (I’m talking to myself too). The bald eagle flyover was a bit of a surprise, hence the lousy photo.

Photo by Chris Bosak – Eastern towhee, April 2022
Photo by Chris Bosak – Bald eagle, April 2022
Photo by Chris Bosak – field sparrow, April 2022.

A few more yellowthroat photos

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Photo by Chris Bosak A common yellowthroat perches on a branch in New England, July 2021.

Common yellowthroats are one of most familiar warblers we see in New England. While we are seeing many warblers pass through this time of year on their way south, yellowthroats remain one of the more common sightings. The male (pictured above) is easy to recognize with his black mask, but the female is a little more tricky, particularly in the fall when warblers are notoriously difficult to ID. Here are a few more shots to distinguish the female yellowthroat from other warblers passing through. Click here for a recent For the Birds column on yellowthroats.

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Palm warbler searches in the moss

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Photo by Chris Bosak A palm warbler searches for food in a bed of moss, April 2020. Merganser Lake.

A Day on Merganser Lake

Warbler season, sadly, is done for the year. The warblers that remain are the nesters, which is exciting in its own right. Here’s a throwback photo of a palm warbler I saw back in April. Palm warblers are one of the first warblers to arrive in New England each spring.