From Birdsinthetree.com., the Complete guide to the Black-throated Green... Identification Features: The Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) is identifiable by its bright yellow-green body, black throat, and two white wing bars, measuring 4.5 to 5.5 inches in length. Its unique song resembles “zee-zee-zee, zoo-zee.” Habitat Preferences: This warbler thrives in mature deciduous and mixed forests across eastern North America, particularly during the breeding season from April to August. Key habitat features include tall trees, dense understory vegetation, and diverse woodlands. Behavioral Patterns: The warbler primarily feeds on insects and caterpillars, often hanging upside down to forage. Males sing to attract mates, and nesting takes place in dense vegetation, emphasizing their preference for safe and hidden sites. Conservation Status: The population faces threats from habitat loss due to urban development and deforestation, climate change, and fragmentation. Conservation organizations focus on habitat restoration and sustainable practices to support the warbler’s survival. Ecological Importance: The Black-throated Green Warbler plays a crucial role in forest ecosystems by helping control insect populations and contributing to forest regeneration through its nesting habits.

Happy Weekend friends... warbler migration is beginning to wind down, as more females and immatures come through learning the route. Caught this young, Black-throated Green on a rainy Wednesday--happy to have had the chance. #birds #ohbiridng #LucasCounty #naturepfotography #wildlife

From Allaboutbirds.org., The brilliant Prothonotary Warbler bounces along branches like a golden flashlight in the dim understory of swampy woodlands. This golden ray of light is unique among warblers with its beady black eye and blue-gray wings. It is also one of two warblers that build their nests in holes in standing dead trees. Often called a "swamp warbler" in the southeast, it also occurs surprisingly far to the north along rivers. Its population is declining, due to loss of forested wetlands in the U.S. and mangroves on its wintering grounds.

Happy Friday friends... This prothonotary warbler made use of the boardwalk corners grabbing spider web catches for food and webs for nest building. He also didn't mind posing for a few photos while doing so. Beautiful bird! #birds #Ohbiridng #BWIAB #LucasCounty #Naturephotography #wildlife

From Allaboutbirds.org, The sharply marked Blackpoll Warbler is nature’s hearing test, with a high-pitched, almost inaudible song that floats through the boreal forests of Canada. This long-distance athlete weighs less than half an ounce yet makes the longest overwater journey of any songbird—nearly 1,800 miles nonstop over the Atlantic Ocean to its wintering grounds. In the fall, this black-and-white warbler molts into yellow-green plumage and loses its black cap. Although still numerous, it has lost an estimated 88% of its population in the last 40 years.

Happy Saturday friends... another busy day ahead, so enjoy this gorgeous Blackpoll warbler. Frist time I saw this bird some years ago, I thought he was "wearing" a tuxedo. Kind of the truth! #birds #ohbiridng #BWIAB #Warblermigration #LucasCounty #wildlife #Naturephotography

Standing on reeds over a marsh, facing left, with neck extended, the Least Bittern is a small heron with a long-pointed yellow bill. Often heard but not seen, they hunt from the reeds for small aquatic animals such as minnows, dragonflies and mice.

A pulled back photo to show the difficulty in finding the Least Bittern. You really have to be looking for them. The bird is located off center left, blending in with the other reeds in the marsh.

Was fortunate to watch this guy come in and land, then waited for him to come out into the relative open at the marsh. Note the green coloring on head denoting this is a male. Center of photo looking left, supporting themselves against the dead reads in the marsh.

One of the most difficult birds for me to find has been the Least Bittern, who breeds up here. I'm sure I've walked past these little guys hanging in the reeds a thousand times--until last August-when I finally caught one. #lifers #birds 🪶 #ohbiridng #naturephotography #wildlife