Warbler Guy: Where's warbler resources online? Warbler books? Warbler field guides? Warbler information?

Jeremy (in Austin, TX):
Feel free to check out:

http://www.virtualbirder.com/vbirder/onLoc/onLocDirs/BOSSPR/shelf/index.html

Warbler resources are also listed in the bibliography within the Warblers field guide (shown here as a graphic) by Jon Dunn and Kimball Garrett (1997, Houghton Mifflin).

Of course, tooting my own riff: I present warbler-centric slide shows when invited by groups. More information about these shows is at my web site:
www.warblerwatch.com

Enjoy the warblers, Daniel

Are Pt. Reyes & the Farallon Islands the best W. Coast spots to see E. Coast vagrant warblers? Is it rare to see CT Warbler in CA?

Excellent questions, Jason. Answers: 1. The book “Rare Birds of California” is an excellent resource for your questions. CT Warbler is a rare vagrant at the spots you mention, though it’s also been recorded as a vagrant from s. British Columbia south to n. Baja CA. Vagrants have also been seen in C. America and the western Caribbean. The initial confirmed record of CT in California was a spring male collectedon June 16, 1958 on southeast Farallon Island, a location that claims first state records of five other wood-warbler species.

True fact (that is amazing): More than half of CA’s CT sightings originate from one rock on southeast Farallon Island.

Vagrant (“accidental”) warbler species are NEVER common on the West Coast, but they are always annually seen. Point Reyes National Seashore is often a fine place to see them in September and October, especially within Monterey Cypress groves that occur sporadically within and near ranches on the way to the Outer Point/Lighthouse area within the park. Foggy/cloudy days are often the best conditions to see “layover” individuals. Some of the best areas to visit in pursuit of vagrant East Coast warblers here include the Drakes Beach, Chimney Rock, and Lighthouse areas.

Connecticut Warbler is currently present (on 9/12 and 9/13/11) in the Monterey Pine groves within Point Reyes National Seashore near Chimney Rock.

To find this location, contact the park's rangers or email me: danieledelstein@att.net

Warbler Guy, where is bird radar migration information? Bird migration radar maps? Radar information related to birds?

Joey (in Hamilton, Ontario): There's a great bird radar migration web site at:

http://virtual.clemson.edu/groups/birdrad/

Here, you'll find how the Clemson Radar Ornithology Laboratory and its latest work related to:

-Calibrating WSR-88D displays for quantifying bird migration,
-Developing migration maps for different regions of the United States,
-Examining changing migration patterns with comparisons of current and historic radar datasets,
-Developing national migration models from forecast weather variables,
-Forecasting bird migration in the northeastern United States (BIRDCAST),
-Identifying and delimiting important migration stopover areas by using WSR-88D and classified multispectral satellite data in a GIS,
-Mapping roosting areas of Purple Martins throughout the South, and
-Conducting radar studies of bird migration through Panama.

Another related, albeit regional bird migration site for the autumn/post-breeding movement of songbird is:

http://minnesotabirdnerd.blogspot.com/

Currently, excellent "difficult fall warbler" photos are shown at this blog site (in the 8/30/11 article and corresponding photos).

Warbler Guy, which vagrant is the "coolest" to see in the West this autumn?

Many vagrant, East Coast/Midwest nesting wood-warblers are eye catching prizes to see
during the post-breeding season, among them the Connecticut Warbler shown here.

The more rare to uncommon (vagrant) ones seen at places such as Point Reyes National Seashore and its Outer Point and Lighthouse
area include:
- Cerulean Warbler
- Black-throated Blue Warbler

Which so-called East Coast warblers are the most common vagrant species to see in this area?

- Palm
- American Redstart
- Tennessee
- Blackpoll

Wisconsin Kirtland's Warbler Nesting Update

In 2011, Kirtland’s Warbler was recorded in five counties in Wisconsin. Biologists documented a minimum 22 male and 11 female individuals in the state. Among 11 nesting attempts, four nests were successful, fledging an estimated nine to 17 young throughout the state.

At least 1,840 male Kirtland's Warbler now exist, a small total number. BUT an amazing comback for the federally-endangered wood-warbler that was once on the brink of extinction.

More details soon.

Please check back to learn more about this exciting annual nesting phenomenon.

Warbler Guy, When does Kirtland’s Warbler migrate south? The Kirtland’s Warbler migration is early? Or does Kirtland’s Warbler migrate in fall?

Actually, Jeremy (in Detroit), many of the Michigan-based nesting Kirtland’s Warblers disperse and migrate by July (and no later than August). Look for them in mid-July where they nest in central Michigan counties and you’ll often be out of luck. In fact, their nesting period is a small window of time, typically from their mid-May arrival through the subsequent next six to eight weeks.

Then dispersal may happen before mandatory (or obligate) migration occurs. Think of dispersal as local to short-distance travel away from the nesting area. This interim period involves feeding and molting prior to the Kirtland’s long night-time migration to the Bahama Islands.

Followers of this blog may also know that Kirtland’s Warbler now nest annually in Wisconsin. (See articles from May and June, 2011, below.) Wisconsin Kirtland’s Warbler individuals also usually leave their nesting grounds in July. They, too, eventually migrate to the Bahamas, thereby joining Michigan nesters for the non-breeding season.

How many Kirtland’s Warblers exist? Probably no more than approximately 1,825 to 1,850 males, according to recent combined breeding bird studies that incorporate totals from Michigan and Wisconsin. One annual nesting spot in Ontario also occurs for this federally endangered wood-warbler.

What's this photo's ID (of a hybrid warbler recently present at Summer Lake in south-central Oregon)?

(photo (c) Jim Arneson via flickr)

Answer:

My guess is as good as yours, though my initial thought is a form of Canada Warbler, given the trace of the necklace and eye ring typical of a classic male Canada Warbler.

Other field marks suggest Black-throated Blue, American Redstart and either Mourning or MacGillivray's.

Someone suggested the cross/intergrade appearance is most closely alligned with Junkin's Warbler, meaning it shows
field marks associated with Mourning and Kentucky.

Your thoughts?