Warbler Guy, has Kirtland's Warbler been seen this year in Wisconsin? Is it nesting again in 2015 within Wisconsin?

Yes, Dennis, Kirtland's Warbler has been reported on five ebird.org checklists noted at:

http://ebird.org/ebird/map/kirwar?neg=true&env.minX=&env.minY=&env.maxX=&env.maxY=&zh=false&gp=false&ev=Z&mr=1-12&bmo=1&emo=12&yr=cur&byr=2015&eyr=2015

Whether it's nesting in Wisconsin is still an open question, given I do not yet see the WI DNR or USFWS web sites indicating nesting presence in 2015.

Nonetheless, nesting success again in 2015 within Wisconsin is likely, given the last seven years have yielded nesting success in one or more state locations.

Check back here again soon and I'll have a more extensive update.

Of course, the annual nesting presence of Kirtland's in Michigan has repeated, as 10 or more of this state's counties have hosted this federally endangered species since monitoring efforts began.

One ongoing, perhaps annual nest in Ontario may also again host a nesting pair again in 2015, but I'll have to confirm this phenomenon. Again, please feel free to check back as more information becomes available that I am able to share here.

One related update offers a fascinating discovery:
A banded Kirtland's Warbler from Wisconsin has been recaptured in the Bahamas where this species spends the non-breeding season. See:

http://www.fws.gov/midwest/greenbay/endangered/kiwa/2015/UpdateApril2015.html

(Above, Kirtland's Warbler nestling receives color-bands at 5-6 days old, Adams County, Wisconsin.

Photo by Joel Trick.)

Warbler Guy, do you think Connecticut Warbler could appear as early as May 1st in northern Wisconsin?

It's possible, Joannie......Anomalous early arrivals occur among warbler species that typically show up later in the annual vanguard parade — Connecticut, Blackpoll, and Canada, during many years.

Then again, if you go to this year's ebird.org report for Connecticut, not one report I see in northern latitudes of the Upper Midwest is noted before 5/13/15, per:

http://ebird.org/ebird/map/conwar?neg=true&env.minX=-151.91499999999996&env.minY=11.58633002682991&env.maxX=-39.414999999999964&env.maxY=61.927969077338446&zh=true&gp=true&mr=1-12&bmo=1&emo=12&yr=2015-2015&byr=2015&eyr=2015

To see the arrival times and presence of other wood-warblers for this year's migration, see
Greg Miller's excellent page, per:

http://www.gregmillerbirding.com/birders-notebook-2/2013-where-are-the-eastern-wood-warblers-now/

Enjoy the warbler fun! Daniel

danieledelstein@att.net

Warbler Guy, how do I know if warbler migration is strong? Migrating warblers are more dense on some spring days than other ones?

Fine question, Caren (in Austin).

I often use online radar to note spring migration trends.

One that is good: Birdcast

See:

http://birdcast.info/forecast/24-april-1-may-2015-forecast-and-thats-a-cold-shot-baby/

At this link, you'll read about the current week's presence of migrators and predictions.

It is a great resource, given the BirdCast forecast highlights migrant species that you can expect to see in each of several regions: Upper Midwest and Northeast; Gulf Coast and Southeast; Great Plains; and West. 

Warbler Guy, what is the new warbler taxonomy? Why is the warbler family rearranged?

Those are great questions, Posey (in Seattle).

The best way for me to explain the answers is to point you to:

http://www.sibleyguides.com/2011/06/the-new-wood-warbler-taxonomy/

Here, you'll learn, for example, that the Parula, Wilsonia, and Dendroica genera have vanished, with their species merging into other genera.

There's also a link to a Q & A interview with Irby Lovette, who is the lead author and researcher that championed the taxonomy changes.

Warbler Guy, is The Warbler Guide any good? Do you think it's worth buying?

Anita (in Carbondale, IL): Full disclosure.....I received a copy of The Warbler Guide when it first appeared.

That written, I would have absolutely bought it, if necessary.

It is excellent.

Many review of this guide appear online, so I won't describe its virtues here.

But I will note the publisher recently creating some downloadable apps from the book that
may interest you at:

http://blog.press.princeton.edu/2013/07/25/downloadable-warbler-guide-quick-finders/

At this link, you'll find Quick Finder PDF or JPG files for quick ID of warblers. For example, one download PDF shows all the faces of warblers; another depicts all the warblers from a 45 degree view; another shows spring eastern warblers; and, yet another, portrays them in their fall plumages.

Hence, beyond the book, the publisher (Princeton University Press) continues to provide free extras at its web site, with the best link at:

http://press.princeton.edu/titles/9968.html

As for my own recent warbler sleuthing, the spring on the West Coast has been fruitful so far.
March and early April arrivals of nesters in our area such as Hermit Warbler and Black-throated Gray Warbler have followed February appearances of returning nesters Wilson's Warbler and Orange-crowned Warbler.

Happy spring birding and warbler finding, Daniel
danieledelstein@att.net

Warbler Guy, is warbler migration early this year? Are early sightings of returning warblers occurring this spring?

Good question, Molly (in Palo Alto).

My N. CA/Marin County location provides a limited answer, but I believe reported sightings suggest, "yes," early arrival of returning warblers has happened in 2015.

For example, I noticed two to four week early arrival dates for WILSON'S, BLACK-THROATED GRAY, and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER in February and March, 2015.
Note, over-wintering sightings of these three species occurs, but the vast majority are absent in my area during the non-breeding season (i.e., they are seasonal/nesting residents only).

Likewise, a scan of ebird records for warbler arrival times in my area supports my contention.

As for the East and Midwest where warbler species (such Yellow-rumped and Palm Warbler and Louisiana Waterthrush) are just beginning to return to breeding territory, I have no information to share, sorry.

Meanwhile, other early arriving songbirds this season where I live have included Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Grasshopper Sparrow, Warbling Vireo, and Cassin's Vireo.

In fact, this winter was so warm and dry, it felt like spring. And, now, with spring arriving on the calendar, it feels more like summer (with today's temperature reaching 83° F....!)

Warbler Guy, where can I read about multiple warblers' nesting habits, warbler migration patterns, warbler songs, etc.?

Syd, you cannot go wrong by visiting:

http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/

This site features a comprehensive list of more than 720 North American species, with all of this area's Parulidae (warbler family) members present.

Yes, it costs money: $42 per year or $100 for three years.

Cannot recommend it enough.