Sept. 30, 2012 - North Shore Trip – Part 2
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One morning during our trip to the North Shore, I drove to a scenic overlook where you can see Split Rock Lighthouse. I like the view from this overlook because it is at the same level as the lighthouse. The cliff on which the light house is built is 130 feet above the water. From 1910 to 1969, ships on Lake Superior depended on Spilt Rock to aid them in navigating the sometimes treacherous waters. In 1969, Split Rock was decommissioned because more advanced navigation tools were then in use.
This overlook proved to be a good place to watch and photograph some of the warblers migrating along the shore of Lake Superior. This is a female Cape May Warbler. Like many warbler species, she is less colorful than the male. Here is a link to a male Cape May Warbler in breeding plumage. http://www.earlorfphotos.com/Birds/Birds-6/5691621_Sn7DRM#!i=1996152051&k=HLKmPn2
Tennessee Warblers are quite plain looking and don’t change much from breeding to non-breeding plumage. When birders in our area see a very plain-looking warbler, it helps them narrow the identification down to either Tennessee or Orange-crowned Warbler.
Lots of Palm Warblers were also on the move that day. Here are three features that help identify this species. First, notice the brown cap on its head. Second, look for the yellow feathers under the tail (those are called the undertail coverts.) Third, you’ll find that the Palm Warbler is almost constantly pumping its tail.
Here’s a Palm Warbler that was hopping along the stone fence at the overview. It was picking up small insects and seeds that you or I would probably not even notice.
It’s quite common to see mixed flocks of warblers migrating together. Food is easier to find when lots of individuals are looking for it. A larger flock also provides more eyes and ears to look out for danger.
Ilkka
on September 30, 2012Just excellent, Earl!