Chirps and Cheeps

A Photo Journal of My Birding Experiences & Observations

My birding blog site


  Yellow-throated Vireo in INWR

Published: June 09, 2013
Tags: Life List Happenings, Yellow-throated Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Wood Thrush, Veery, Eastern Phoebe, Willow Flycatcher, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Great Blue Heron, Swamp Sparrow, Red-tailed Hawk, Osprey, Song Sparrow

A work issue kept me from the early start I was hoping for this morning - but finally, five hours later than I wanted to start, I got on the road to Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. Today's target birds were: Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoo, Prothonatary Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, and Yellow-throated Vireo. I gained one out of the five - and a nice gain it was!

I had gotten a fleeting glimpse of the Yellow-throated Vireo on Swallow Hollow trail about a week ago, and I heard it - a LOT - twice before. The bird visually eluded me though and taunted me as it sang loudly, obviously close! I never could get a good eye on it.  Today, though, I not only got some nice views, but I got my camera on it too!  NOW, I can claim it for my life list!

By the way, the Yellow-throated Vireo's population is declining due to the spraying of trees with chemicals and the decline in large forests.  This vireo needs a forest at least 250 acres in order for it to successfully breed.

On my way out of the woods around 7:30 PM, the innards of the forest - under the canopy of the trees - grew much darker quickly.  The croaking of the frogs began to rise in volume and the flute-like harmonics of several Veerys echoed to one another. It was a rather magical / mystical feeling - right up until two joggers tromping down the walkway jarred me out of my thoughts!  I was thinking - even though I didn't get any of the other target birds, and even if it took three times to get the Yellow-throated Vireo, I feel really great that I got to watch and study and enjoy this gorgeous lifer!

blog photo
Yellow-throated Vireo

blog photo
Yellow-throated Vireo - I finally found who was making all the noise!

blog photo
Yellow-throated Vireo

blog photo
Yellow-throated Vireo

blog photo
Yellow-throated Vireo

blog photo
Yellow-throated Vireo

blog photo
Veery

blog photo
Swamp Sparrow

blog photo
Eastern Phoebe

blog photo
Willow Flycatcher

blog photo
Red-tailed Hawk

blog photo
He must have gotten too close to a nest - he's being dive-bomed by a Red-winged Blackbird!

blog photo
Osprey

blog photo
At first I thought the Osprey had food, but I think it's a piece of bark he pulled off the tree in the photo before.

blog photo
A Song Sparrow after its bath

blog photo
Spotted Skimmer, a very interesting dragonfly. He had just devoured an ant!

blog photo
A total mystery bird for me - it looks like a cross between a female Yellow-rumped Warbler and a female American Redstart. I'm guessing a young male redstart...

blog photo
Same Mystery Bird - different angle. Young male redstart?




  Go Back Go to Top  

button link to my bird search