There was a new song coming from the large pines outside the back door at work this morning. I thought I recognized it as a Yellow-throated Warbler and started looking excitedly. It took a few minutes, but I finally made out a small figure moving along the branches, looking for food and pausing occasionally to sing. I shot a few photos, most of them showing a tail sticking out from behind a clump of pine needles, but got one shot where he was actually visible and identifiable.
Nailed it. It’s a crappy photo, but he was waaaay up in the top of a shortleaf pine and I was lucky to get this shot.
Anyway, he officially qualifies as the first warbler of the year. Well, not counting Pine and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Yellow-rumps are fairly common here through the winter and a small number of Pine Warblers hang around also, despite what most field guides will tell you.
So the warblers have begun to return, the White-throated Sparrows have departed within the last week and the Juncos will be going soon. We should be hearing Whip-poor-wills any day now and the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds will be showing up by the middle of the month. Indigo Buntings, Summer Tanagers and American Redstarts should start arriving soon after.
Looks like spring may finally be here.