Palm Warblers

One new bird yesterday morning: a Yellow Palm Warbler. Like the previously reported Tennessee Warbler, this Palm Warbler is an eye-striper and is yellow underneath; however, it has faint breast striping and is bright yellow under the tail (the Tennessee is white under the tail). Most significantly, the Palm Warbler's tail is constantly in motion, being wagged or pumped up and down. This seems early for this species which is better known as a sometime winter (and late fall/early spring) migrant, often seen with Yellow-rumped Warblers which arrive in October (birders' nicknames for these two birds are 'pumps and rumps').

Interestingly enough, another Palm Warbler was seen this morning. It was a different bird because, unlike yesterday's bird which was a Yellow Palm Warbler (the Eastern subspecies), this was a Western Palm Warbler with bright yellow undertail coverts and a rather markedly striped but quite un-yellow breast! So within two days, we have had both subspecies!

Other birds still being seen (and heard): Royal Terns and Belted Kingfisher. Also Eastern Phoebe. All the Eastern Phoebes now being seen have light lemony yellow underparts. Does this indicate a first molt from the fledgling plumage or is this a characteristic of northern birds now here in migration?

Eric Salzman