A Blackburnian Warbler in my Toronto garden

How exciting it was to see so many new bird visitors to our backyard. With bird migration in full swing, Bob and I kept a keen eye out our windows hoping to glimpse new species that happened to drop by. First thing, one morning, as I sat at my computer desk looking out on the streetscape, I saw a flash of orange land in my Highbush Cranberry. That bird turned out to be a Blackburnian Warbler.

Joining in the mix was a beautiful Magnolia Warbler.

Shortly after that, two Blackburnian Warblers (Dendroica fusca) were quickly moving about the branches of the maple tree in our front yard. I was still working on my laptop but quickly and quietly cracked open the windows for a photo. At first, I thought that the Baltimore Orioles had arrived because I saw flashes of orange, and the wings had broad,white wingbars, but my photos proved me wrong.

It was a first for Bob and me to see Blackburnian Warblers, and here, we had two fine male members of the species in brilliant breeding plumage. The day was off to a great start, and the hands of the clock had not yet reached 8:30 a.m. We had little idea of what other great sightings we would make throughout the day and into the next. There was a lot to be said for the slow emergence of the leaves on the trees that year. It made it so much easier to see our feathered friends.

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