Kentucky Warblers are rare visitors to New York City during spring and fall migration — we are at the very northern limit of the breeding range and few pass through. Kentucky Warblers are normally elusive, skulking birds, but this Kentucky was photographed in the native flora section of the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens in late April 2003. This bird stayed for at least 2 weeks, itself unusual for a migrant warbler.

Fig. 1: Hooded Warbler — This adult male was also photographed in Brooklyn Botanic Garden in April 2003. Fairly uncommon through the city parks, these birds are found in dense cover in upland woodlands like Bear Mountain.

[Warblers photographed in Central Park:]

Fig. 2: Cape May Warbler — This is a spectacular adult male photographed near the Azalea Pond in May 2001. This was one of two adult males that came down to bathe just in front of me. Cape Mays are uncommon in the park, so seeing two of them together was remarkable, even more so from less than 10 feet.

Fig. 3: Magnolia Warbler — photographed in Central Park in May 2002. This bird is a male in full breeding plumage, probably a bird that was born the previous year, on its way from its wintering grounds in Central America to breeding territory in the northeast and Canada.

Fig. 4: Yellow-rumped Warbler — Some hardy Yellow-rumped Warblers tough it out during the winter months in coastal scrub in places like Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and Jones Beach. One of the commonest warblers, this
adult male Yellow-rumped Warbler in full breeding plumage and typical of the
several hundred individuals that can be found each day in Central Park during peak Yellow-rumped migration in late April This is the eastern form of this species, the so-called "Myrtle" Warbler (the one in the west is called "Audubon's" Warbler).

Fig. 5: Chestnut-sided Warbler — Adult male in breeding plumage, Central Park May 2002.

Fig. 6: — Black-throated Green Warbler — Photographed in Central Park in May 2001, this bird is an adult male in full breeding plumage.

For more great bird photos, info, and links of interest to birders, visit Phil Jeffrey's home page.

Also, Phil notes that all the species listed above were reported in Central Park two days ago! Probably yesterday and today too! Turn off your computer. Grab your binos and bird book! Go outside! Now! MOVE IT MOVE IT MOVE IT!