new breeders

Every spring, we have singing Yellow Warblers in or around the head of the marsh but they stop singing rather early and, during nesting time, seem to be very quiet. Until now I have never had any confirmation that they actually breed here. But this morning, an adult male Yellow was shepherding and sometimes feeding two fledgling warblers around the area back of the pond, an event that not only confirms the warbler as a local breeder but also afforded good looks at the young Yellows which might not have been so easy to identify. They have very limited yellow, mainly under the tail and a little creamy wash on the throat. They also make a series of low ticking noise, probably to let the adult know where they are.

I had a much briefer glimpse of a young Common Yellowthroat as I passed through Yellowthroat territory accompanied and distracted once again by the active and visible elders.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird still on the nest. I am making an effort to get a picture but so far all I have to show is a thicket and, try as I might, I can't find the nest amidst the pictorial jumble of branches and greenery. I know it's there somewhere!

This has been a good year for confirmed nestings. Besides the Yellow (a familiar presence but nesting never before proven), there is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, White-breasted Nuthatch and Eastern Phoebe, all new as confirmed nesters. And Clapper Rail as a likely but not yet confirmed breeder in the marsh.

Eric Salzman