The warblers are coming!  In fact the second wave is already here.

Ten days ago I listed four new arrivals: Louisiana waterthrush, yellow-throated warbler, pine warbler and yellow-rumped warbler.

This week brought in five more beauties, illustrated in photos by Tony Bruno and Steve Gosser.  I saw most of them at Enlow Fork (SGL 302), just 45 air miles south of Pittsburgh.  I’m sure they’ll be in town this weekend.

American redstart (Setophaga ruticilla), at top.  Black, white and orange, as soon as the redstarts arrive they’re easy to find because they’re hyperactive and just above eye level.  We saw 10 of them at Enlow Fork yesterday, April 26.

Northern parula (Setophaga americana), below. Smaller and slower moving than a redstart, parulas are usually in the tops of the trees, especially sycamores. We were lucky to see one at eye level at Enlow Fork.

Palm warbler (Setophaga palmarum), below:  This warbler is easier to identify that you’d think because he pumps his tail and is willing to walk on the ground. I found him on the grass at Frick Park.

Black-throated green warbler (Setophaga virens), below. Usually found at mid-height in the trees, he sometimes hovers like a redstart to glean insects from the leaves. Enlow Fork.

Common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), below:  This one like to hide in thick bushes so we heard him before we saw him — and then just caught a glimpse.  “Witchity, Witchity, Witchity” at Enlow Fork.

There are plenty of opportunities to see warblers this Sunday April 29.  Click the links for details:

• I’ll be leading a bird walk at Schenley Park at 8a-10a.  Meet me at the Visitors Center just across the street from Phipps.  Parking is free on Sundays.
• Jack and Sue Solomon are leading a bird walk at Frick Park at 8:30a. Meet at the Frick Environmental Center.
• The Wheeling Creek Conservancy is holding their annual Enlow Fork Wildflower Day on Sunday Apr 29.  A 1.5 hour drive from Pittsburgh, arrive before 8am for the bird walk.

It’s time to get outdoors.  The warblers are coming!

(photo credits: American redstart by Tony Bruno; all other warblers by Steve Gosser)