Cape Breton National Park. Nova Scotia, Canada. 7/3/2017.

This gorgeous warbler is plentiful at that location.

Tags:   magnolia warbler Cape Breton National Park Nova Scotia Canada warbler in song singing Magnolia warbler 7/3/2017 warbler and conifer

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Blackpoll warbler in song. Martinique Beach, Nova Scotia. 7/6/2017.

As mentioned with my singing Bay-Breast*d warbler post, this was my other warbler goal for the Maritime trip to Nova Scotia.
Time did not allow me to hunt for a Blackpoll in the more likely places in Cape Breton National Park, so I knew from my pre-trip research my final chance would be in the Halifax area. Based on scouring eBird I thought Martinique Beach, about an hour's drive east of Halifax was my best bet. I got up very early one morning, wife still asleep, and snuck away. It was around 0500. It was a gorgeous sunny morning, without much wind, not a common weather condition for that area. Arriving at Martinique Beach, there were perhaps another car or two, and I had the area pretty much to myself.

I listened carefully for a singing Blackpoll in the conifers near the beach area as I drove the road slowly. I got out several times and walked listening. Nothing. Remembering at least one eBird report mentioning islands along the beach I figured that was probably where I would find my Blackpoll. However how to get there? I had taken the road to the end and there were no more conifers just grassy areas and beach.

I ventured out to the beach and looked further east along the beach. About a mile away I saw some risings of land that were conifer studded. I knew those were the islands but could I reach them by walking, and I was on the clock? I was due back at the hotel by 0930 to join my wife for a day in Halifax, and I was looking at mile to a mile and a half hike both ways with gear, and an hour's drive back. I decided to march on. The next hurdle crossed was learning that I could in fact walk to those 'islands' by hiking along the beach. There was no water to cross after all, but there was an area of beach that was densely packed with boulders, and rocks that I had to negotiate. There was marsh habitat. I thought I heard a Ne1son's sparrow sing, but no time to deviate from plan and investigate. The conifers were getting nearer. Finally up the rising and listening and around a turn. I then heard what I thought was my target. Bins up and there he was, a singing Blackpoll!

I wish I had a half a day to explore the area further but honoring my commitment to be back on time was important. I made it back by 0940. Those windswept islands off Martinique Beach are spruce tree, and mosquito laden, and the climate is cooler, and moister than the adjacent mainland. The conifers were not tall due to the harsh conditions. This is an excellent place to observe Blackpoll warblers on breeding grounds.

Tags:   Blackpoll warbler singing Blackpoll warbler warbler in song Maritime Blackpoll Nova Scotia Martinique Beach 7/6/2017 2017easternwarblerbucketlistset warbler and conifer

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Michigan. 5/26/2017. Image was obtained from the dirt road.
Important not to venture into the habitat of this endangered species.

It was really impressed upon me this visit how particular this species is for a specific Jack Pine habitat. Two years ago this bird was a life bird for me, when I found it singing in the southern part of it's range. I thought I would return to the same stand of Jack Pines where two Junes ago I had this species. In fact a few weeks after my first visit which I made solo, I returned with my friend David Cree and we found several birds in the same area where I had one. Albeit that first visit I had been quite early during their migration. I remember a large tract of recent burn which was filled with what appeared to be mere seedlings. That tract of young growth was devoid of this species both visits two years ago.

Fast forward two years to this May and that same large tract was no longer filled with seedlings but rather mostly 2-3 foot tall Jack Pines, and there were Kirtland warblers singing all along that stretch. When I checked out the area we had the birds 2 years ago I heard none. Those trees were two years taller and the lower limbs of those older trees appeared thinned out compared to the newer growth area. What a change to see in just two years!

This species has recovered well within it's managed habitat. It is clear that without careful habitat management this species would be in great peril. It is endangered due to lower numbers but within suitable habitat it seems to be faring very well.

This image shows an adult male with fine dark stippling across the anterior chest. I haven't seen more than a dozen or so of this species but I've never seen such a streaked chest. Apparently this is not uncommon. According to Dunn in his book Warblers, he remarks on the plate page of the species, "Fine black stippling across chest found in many spring males (adults and immatures)".

Tags:   Kirtland's warbler michigan 5/26/2017 jack pine 2017easternwarblerbucketlistset warbler and conifer

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Cape Breton National Park. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. I located this singing jewel along the dirt road leading to the famous Skyline hiking trail. 7/3/2017.

Just back from a vacation that my wife and I took to the Canadian Maritime provinces of PEI, and Nova Scotia. I snuck in a couple early morning warbler photography outings. Since bird photography was not the trip focus I didn't take my Canon gear due to the weight and not wanting to lug it everywhere. I had my much smaller and lighter Sony 300 with a 2X Teleconverter, which led to some diminution in sharpness especially at higher ISOs. It also was slower focusing than my Canon gear with 600 prime. Thankfully I brought my tripod and Wimberley head which probably helped save the day.

I had two simple avian photography goals for the trip which included finding and photographing both this bird and a Blackpo11 warbler in breeding habitat. Finding this bird proved easier than I expected, and what I've learned with other warbler species applied well to my short time with this bird. I had to work much harder to get my Blackpo11, but once I found it, it also proved relatively easy to work with. My sole regret was not having my Canon gear including my 600.

Will be catching up on Flickr!

Tags:   bay-breasted warbler singing bay-breasted warbler Cape Breton National Park spruce 2017easternwarblerbucketlistset Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Canada warbler in song warbler and conifer

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Riding Mountain National Park. Manitoba. 6/7/2017.
I always wanted to photograph one of these in Canada. Amazing that they can be found within a few hours of my home here in Georgia as well.

Happy Canada Day (July 1) 150 to all my Canadian Flickr friends/contacts! I thought a singing Canadian Canada warbler might be appropriate for the occasion.

Riding Mountain is a beautiful park. it is situated on an elevated escarpment about an hour north of the city of Brandon in SW Manitoba. There the grasslands give way to boreal forest. There is much wildlife, including large mammals, and many bird species.
We even saw a N0rthern Hawk 0wl there (in June!) thanks to a tip from a local. I also got my lifer B0real Ch1ckadee.
We spent part of two separate days in the park. I think I could easily spend a week there and not get bored. There is much to explore.

Tags:   Canada warbler Riding Mountain National Park Manitoba warbler in song Canada warbler in song first spring male warbler and conifer

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