Bout broke my neck running for the camera. Was lucky to get this so so shot just before 3 grackles scared him off. Verified through the North American Field Guide. Anyone know how rare this might be? Book says winters in the Carribean & migrates to Canada & shows very East edge of Illinois is its Western-most path.



Joni
Elwood, IL
Zone 5

Not only are you lucky to see that bird, but, you got a photograph, too! My guess is that he's on his migratory path from the Carribean, to nesting grounds north of you. They certainly aren't an "everyday" bird....I've yet to see one! Nice job!

I have never seen a warbler

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Yes, Joni, Cape May Warblers aren't everyday birds where you live. Their distribution is primarily Eastern and they don't migrate this far west very often. In 39 years, I've seen just a handful in Louisiana. And, you have a picture to prove it! Congrats!

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Nancy L Newfield
Casa Colibrí
Metairie, Louisiana USA
USDA Zone 9

Those of us who bird here in New Jersey have wondered if it is a common bird anywhere anymore. As recently as the 1980s we took it pretty much for granted, even if it wasn't among the first order of commonness, it still had its part in spring migration. In the 1990s the species just seemed to fade out of existence until by the turn of this decade it was an event bird. Something has been going on in the Great North Woods. Perhaps it is heavy logging of its spruce habitat, or spraying for spruce budworm? Other birds that have gotten excessively scarce here include Wilson's Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, and even Blackpoll appears to have declined.

So that is a nice bird Joni - a real beauty.

On a positive note there does appear to be a recent uptick in sightings, at least where I bird. Last fall we saw southbound migrants almost every day from mid August to the first week in October. We found our only spring bird so far on Friday, but heard that on that same day more than a dozen were at Garrett Mountain near New York City.

Thanks, all!! I had also emailed the Will County Audubon Society to see if they have ever heard of them being spotted in Illinois & saw their News Editor forwarded my email to a grouping. Haven't been home yet to see the response. I'm on Sis' computer where I can use high speed...Anyway, it was perched in my Autumn Purple Ash tree & was either nibbling on its insignificate blossoms or insects on the blossoms. Haven't seen it since the one time but I am constantly looking out the window. I was thrilled, especially since I haven't had a hummer yet!!!

Joni
Elwood, IL
Zone 5