Wilson’s Warblers

The Wilson’s Warbler is a relatively uncommon migrant warbler species in this region of Pennsylvania. In addition, their aptitude for staying in dense brush can make them difficult to find. I have discovered that the brushy edges and water sources along the edge of my yard provide excellent habitat for migrating Wilson’s Warblers. Of the seven I have observed here over the years (including three this spring!), five have been in the same overgrown patch of greenbrier, spicebush, and highbush blueberry that shades a small muddy spring near the house.

Wilson's Warbler in brush

male Wilson’s Warbler staying hidden among Smilax rotundifolia vines

Brushy Habitat in Corey's Yard

The brushy area at the edge of my yard this is a great place to find Wilson’s Warblers during spring migration!

As I mentioned, this was an excellent spring for Wilson’s Warblers, as I found three in my yard and another at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center in Carbon County. Maybe the relatively high number of this species has something to do with the weird migration this spring… who knows! Nevertheless, I don’t mind having a few more of these singing in the yard for a couple days during migration.

Wilson's Warbler

This male Wilson’s sat in the open for a moment before bathing in a small puddle below

This brushy area is also where I frequently find related warbler species, such as this Canada Warbler. Like the Wilson’s, it is unusual to find a Canada away from the dense brush. This bird popped up for no more than two seconds before disappearing back into the tangles.

Canada Warbler