It’s Gonna Be A Great Week For Birds

Scarlet tanager, 2011 (photo by Steve Gosser)
Scarlet tanager, May 2011 (photo by Steve Gosser)

1 May 2017

The Big Push of migration is here!  I’ve already seen some gorgeous birds that are due this week and there’s more to come.  Here’s what we can look forward to.

Scarlet tanagers (Piranga olivacea) were already at Enlow Fork in Greene County, Pennsylvania on Friday. When they get here, listen for two sounds that tell you this bird is nearby: the Chip-burr call and the male’s “robin with a sore throat” song.

American redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla) were everywhere at Enlow.  Their song can be hard to identify so look for the flash of the male’s black, white and orange colors at mid height in the trees.

American redstart, May 2011 (photo by Steve Gosser)
American redstart, May 2011 (photo by Steve Gosser)

Schenley Park’s Panther Hollow Lake has a concrete border so I was surprised to find a solitary sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) feeding there on Saturday morning, 29 April.  Look for these dark-backed sandpipers with white eye rings along the water’s edge. They travel alone.

Solitary sandpiper, May 2011 (photo by Steve Gosser)
Solitary sandpiper, May 2011 (photo by Steve Gosser)

And here are two species that I haven’t seen yet.  According to Birdcast, they’ll arrive this week.

The magnolia warbler (Setophaga magnolia) is a tiny bird with a yellow throat and belly that’s accented by a black necklace.  He has white splashes on his head, wings and tail that distinguish him from the Canada warbler. Here’s his song.

Magnolia warbler (photo by Steve Gosser)
Magnolia warbler (photo by Steve Gosser)

Swainson’s thrushes (Catharus ustulatus) are probably the most numerous thrush in North America but we only see them on migration in Pittsburgh.  Look for the buffy lores and eye ring and listen for their wiry upward spiraling song.

Swainson's thrush (photo by Steve Gosser)
Swainson’s thrush (photo by Steve Gosser)

Bird migration is in full force in western Pennsylvania.  It’s going to be a great week for birds!

(All photos by Steve Gosser. Click here to see his photo blog.)

2 thoughts on “It’s Gonna Be A Great Week For Birds

  1. my daughter saw has a northern flicker bird that has been eating in her yard since the last snow storm. They cleared a path for their little dog and the bird has been coming to eat off the ground since. She got some beautiful pictures while it was hanging out in her tree.

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