Category Archives: New England warblers

For the Birds: Yellow warbler no more; warbling vireo no more

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Photo by Chris Bosak
A warbling vireo sings from a perch in New England.

Last year I wrote about finding a house wren and not being able to find it on the eBird list only to discover that the name of the bird had been officially changed to northern house wren.

Well, this year, there were two more similar name changes. First, the yellow warbler is now the northern yellow warbler. I think most people will continue to call it yellow warbler for years to come, but the familiar, loquacious yellow bird that nests throughout New England is, indeed, now the northern yellow warbler. 

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For the Birds: Don’t miss the action this spring

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Photo by Chris Bosak
Yellow warbler at Huntington State Park, Redding, CT, May 2026.

Spring migration continues to work its magic. 

My walks have been filled with migrants, including a few FOYs (first of years) each time I go out. On one recent walk, I saw a veery, red-eyed vireo, and American redstart, all firsts of the year. It’s always nice to see birds for the first time since last spring, summer or fall. 

The feeling is a little different for birds that we know are just passing through and won’t nest here. Of course, it’s always nice to see the first rose-breasted grosbeak, scarlet tanager, Baltimore oriole or ruby-throated hummingbird, but we know they will nest locally, and we will have plenty more chances to see them over the next several months.

Some birds, however, especially select warblers, will not nest locally, so if we miss them during their short window of passing through New England, we have to wait until fall to try to catch a glimpse of them as they pass through during their southern flight. If we miss that opportunity, our next chance will be the following spring.

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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.