Migrant Warblers, Here they Come and How to Help Them

Black-and-white Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

Palm Warbler

Prairie Warbler

Migrant Black-and-white Warbler, often thought of as the upside down warbler because of its habit of foraging upside down on tree limbs and trunks (don't try this at home). Palm Warbler with a nice lunch and female Prairie Warbler preening after crossing the Gulf of Mexico. These migrants find a big welcome at the Sanibel lighthouse park, which has ample native vegetation for food and cover. Sanibel's policy is to landscape public places with native vegetation and for homeowner's to keep native vegetation on their property! So, if you want to attract birds to your property and provide for migrants coming though, landscape with native vegetation!!

Migrating Birds, Sanibel Lighthouse, Warblers, Kingbird

Hooded Warbler

Prairie Warbler

Gray Kingbird

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Here are some recent migrants that have come into the Sanibel Lighthouse, FL. Hooded Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Gary Kingbird, Northern Rough-winged Swallow!

Acrobatic Northern Parula Warbler and Prairie Warblers

Northern Parula

Northern Parula 

Prairie Warbler

Prairie Warbler

Several migrant Northern Parulas at the Sanibel lighthouse, FL today, one demonstrating acrobatic foraging and coming up with a juicy prize! You have to admire the ability of this warbler to hang upside down.These migrants are hungry, they have just crossed the Gulf of Mexico!! Also there were several Prairie Warblers. Note the red stripes on the back of one male, not always visible. These warblers will be coming your way soon. For more on how to ID them see our The New Stokes Field Guide To Birds, east or west editions.

Migration April 2017, Look Who is Coming to You!

 Prairie Warbler

Scarlet Tanager

 Summer Tanager

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Eastern Kingbird

Northern Parula, male

 Northern Waterthrush

Blue-headed Vireo

On their way to you now are all these beautiful migrant birds. We just saw many of them come into Sanibel, FL. By end of April and early May they will have arrived on their breeding grounds. To find out who breeds near you and how to ID them, see our new The New Stokes Field Guides to Birds: Eastern and Western Regions, which contain all new photos and information.

Brrr, it can get cold even in FL says this Prairie Warbler!

Prairie Warbler

This Prairie Warbler was foraging at the sunny south edge of a parking lot in the recent cool temps and high winds on Sanibel, FL. It was joined by 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and a few other birds.  a Pay attention to what birds do under different weather conditions to gain a better understanding and appreciation of them.

Black-and-white Warbler and more at Sanibel lighthouse

At the Sanibel lighthouse this morning, more migrant birds came in from the Gulf of Mexico, including this Black-and-white Warbler male, who was 

working over the tree trunks in search of food, and

this Red-eyed Vireo enjoyed some fruits. 

A Cooper's Hawk has to eat too. This one landed in a big fig tree, making the migrant songbirds lay low.

This Prairie Warbler quietly landed in the shade of a Sea Grape tree.

We saw many other birds, including Blue Grosbeak, Hooded Warblers, many Indigo Buntings, Northern Parulas, Palm Warblers and the Blue-winged Warbler was still there.