This Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) was enjoying foraging in White Pine (Pinus strobus) trees in the early morning light today, the first of many warbler species to arrive in the coming weeks.
Now is the time to break out your Peterson Field Guide warbler plates and study songs as well. This male was singing intermittently, more focused on eating than advertising.
Their song resembles that of the Chipping Sparrow, or even the Dark-eyed Junco, but it is a little more deliberate and slower trill.
In my opinion the best way to learn a song is to literally watch a bird singing it as much as you can while listening carefully. I find that this association of sight with their voice helps you to recognize it more readily when you can only hear it, the bird being far away or hidden, or even part of a chorus of many species.
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
