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Surrounded by Warblers

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On Saturday, my friend Jon and I visited what I now believe to be the best Warbler hotspot in the area – the Delaware Water Gap NRA Headquarters in Bushkill and Freeman Tract Road, which is nearby and follows the Delaware River. I’ve been reading previous eBird reports from this area and they were loaded with Northern Parulas, Cerulean Warblers, Hooded Warblers and more really good birds. We had to go check it out during prime migration. The trees are tall and the birds stayed up high for the most part, but that did not stop us from seeing good birds and having a great time.

We knew that it would be a good day when the very first bird we heard when we stepped out of the car was a Golden-winged Warbler. A life bird for Jon and my first time seeing one outside of Ohio.

One of two Golden-winged Warblers

This was another Golden-winged Warbler that we spotted later on

We birded around the Water Gap Headquarters waiting for the sun to peak through the clouds. The building overlooks a really nice marsh that is full of birds.

Blackbirds, Grackles, Swamp Sparrows and Rails love this habitat

Blackbirds, Grackles, Swamp Sparrows and Rails love this habitat

Tree Swallows, Ducks and Warblers seem to be around this part

Tree Swallows, Ducks and Warblers seem to be around this part

We found a couple of hot spots that provided loads of birds moving through the trees and brush around the water. Some of them came down low, but for the most part they were distant. We saw and heard 50 species around the marsh.

Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are abundant

Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are abundant

Tree Swallows in a natural nest

Tree Swallows in a natural nest

Yellow Warbler near the marsh

Yellow Warbler near the marsh

Red-winged Blackbird displaying

Red-winged Blackbird displaying

American Robin on a log

American Robin on a log

Green Heron hunting in the reeds

Green Heron hunting in the reeds

After exploring a bit up the hill, we made our way down to Freeman Tract Road, with our windows opened. On our way down, we heard a bird sing in the trees and I instantly knew that is was one of our target birds – the Cerulean Warbler. We had a few of them singing in the one spot.

One of many Cerulean Warblers

One of many Cerulean Warblers

Down the road, we stopped for a singing Hooded Warbler – another lifer for Jon. He was difficult to find, but we finally spotted singing at the treetops.

Hooded Warbler singing up high

Hooded Warbler singing up high

Even though the birds were mostly up high and moving quickly, it was a great time. We had many great birds and really took our time getting down the road. Every time we stopped the car, there was something exciting to see.

Black-and-white Warbler going up a trunk

Black-and-white Warbler going up a trunk

Blue-winged Warbler singing in the distance

Blue-winged Warbler singing in the distance

The best photo I could get of this Northern Parula who was foraging off the road

The best photo I could get of this Northern Parula who was foraging off the road

We even caught a glimpse of a snake making its way through the leaves.

Garter Snake in the leaves

Garter Snake in the leaves

Best subject of the day goes to an Ovenbird that Jon found posing down low, showing off his crest.

Our best subject from the trip, an Ovenbird

Our best subject from the trip, an Ovenbird

I also finally got some decent photos of a male Parula.

One of the few Northern Parulas who posed

One of the few Northern Parulas who posed

My bird of the day was still the Cerulean Warbler. It’s my favorite little Warbler and I was so happy to see so many of them in one place!

Cerulean Warbler getting breakfast

Cerulean Warbler getting breakfast

Backyard Wildlife – It’s Not Just Birds

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I’m often highlight my backyard birds so today I will give my other backyard friends (and foes!) the spotlight. Along with the birds, I get a variety of mammals, amphibians and some reptiles. Having bird feeders attracts many of these non-avian guests – both predictable and unexpected.

My yard and woods are loaded with Squirrels, mostly Gray Squirrels along with Chipmunks and a couple of Red Squirrels.

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Eastern Chipmunk

Eastern Chipmunk

Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

I do not mind them foraging for fallen seed, but it was a long and frustrating process to fully squirrel-proof all of my feeders. I have also caught other visitors cleaning up messes that the birds leave.

Skunk foraging under my feeders

Skunk foraging under my feeders at night

Northern Raccoon under my feeders

Northern Raccoon under my feeders at night

I get plenty of Eastern Cottontails and Groundhogs during the summer. Both of them seem to like to eat some of my nicer garden plants so I can’t say that I am too happy to have them hanging around; however, I realize that this is their home too.

Eastern Cottontail

Eastern Cottontail

Groundhog on my deck

Groundhog on my deck

My neighborhood gets a lot of White-tailed Deer.

White-tailed Deer

White-tailed Deer

I’ve never had issues with them on my bird feeders, but I do have an even larger mammal who wants the seed.

Black Bear making his way to my feeders

Black Bear making his way to my feeders

Last year, a bear family of four visited us on multiple nights. This month was the first time I saw one of them during the day. We scared him away by making loud noises out the window.

Black Bear

Black Bear

I do have an unfortunate visitor as well. I found a mouse inside my home only once – after my cats already drowned it (don’t ask…). This particular one photographed below one made her nest in my grill cover when I had it folded under a table. I lifted the cover up and this mother mouse and her small babies fell out along with the nest. She quickly scurried away.

Mouse family

Mouse family

After she disappeared, I noticed that she left behind one of the babies! Even though it is just a mouse, I felt bad. I put the baby mouse and the nest inside a small box and left it near the bottom of my deck. Mom came for it shortly after and all were safe.

Mouse baby left behind

Mouse baby left behind

My best mammal visitors were a huge shock for me. I saw a Gray Fox walk past my yard one morning. I did get a couple of photos, but they were taken in a hurry. Later that day, I ran into an even bigger surprise as soon as I walked into the woods. I had TWO Foxes – a mom and her teenager.

Gray Foxes

Mom Gray Fox and her grown up Kit

All three of us stopped in our tracks. I was shaking when I took my initial photos, but they came out well enough. I ran across these foxes every day for a week and ended up getting some better photos, despite the dark, yet brightly back-lit woods.

Gray Fox

Gray Fox

Young Gray Fox

Young Gray Fox

I have one reptile yard visitor who I often find in my grass and under the rocks.

Ring-necked Snake

Ring-necked Snake

And many amphibians who visit – more so when I had a small pond in the back. I get American Toads, Tree Frogs, Wood Frogs and Peepers.

Eastern American Toad

Eastern American Toad

Birds, Bears, Foxes and Frogs – I wonder who else will show up?

Gray Fox

Gray Fox