American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)
The American Redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla) keep on coming! As some of our late-arriving birds like the Blackpoll Warbler are peaking the Redstarts are still pushing through in migration, with others already here building nests. No complaints – we want more of these stunners!
Read MoreYellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus)
We had a very welcome late morning visitor at Stratford Point today in the form of this Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) as it searched out tent caterpillars on the bluff. The American Robins and Common Grackles were not as welcoming, thinking this bird was going to go after their nests and little ones. The light was not the best for photography, but it is hard to get better views of a cuckoo than this! Stratford Point keeps bringing in the migrants even as we near the end of May. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreCardinal Portrait
Sean was originally only going to photograph neotropical migrants on the black background for portraits, but that changed once he netted this male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). He thought the red and black contrast would look very cool. It was clearly worth it, and Sean said this guy was a really good model with his bright red mohawk.
Read MoreRuby-throated Hummingbird
I photographed this hummingbird feeding on some crabapple flowers on the “best” day of Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration earlier this May. Obviously this is a female/immature type without that ruby throat, but it was a delight to see it fueling up in the midst of a certainly epic journey. This individual likely crossed the entire Gulf of Mexico as most of the species does…I mean, how can you even begin to process that? Unreal. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreHouse Wren
The incomparable and iconic House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) is a star of the screen with its cheery, chattering call reverberating through the background of countless TV shows and movies. It is one of our most geographically widespread songbirds with a huge range across the Americas. A true sign of spring, this May arrival gets right to making a nest in boxes or any other container in and around yards. I have always loved these friendly little birds, but this one definitely went the extra mile in allowing me a couple of close photos on a nest box and a blueberry bush. If you have a yard with...
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