Bird of the Week: Blue-winged Warbler

Earlier this week I spent some time in Sterling Forest State Park in Orange county, NY to try to photograph some Golden-winged Warblers.  Although I was able to get brief glimpses of one and heard another, the photo opportunities were completely lacking.  But among the 16 species of Warblers I detected in the park (also including Worm-eating, Cerulean, Hooded, Prairie, American Redstart, and Louisiana Waterthrush) my only really good photos came from a very cooperative Blue-winged Warbler along the power line cut at the end of Ironwood Drive.  I also found a color-banded individual.  I hope you enjoy the photos.

This one has color bands.

Gull Watching: Little Gull

So I'm taking a break from the large white-headed gulls to show you Little Gull.  This is one of my favorite gulls.  These photos were taken on an overcast, snowy day this past February, so please excuse the slightly off focus and mediocre lighting on some of them.

First cycle Little Gull.  Note black ulnar bars creating M on upperparts, light gray mantle and scapulars, slate-colored cap, and dark black carpal patch.  Size, although not obvious here, is smaller than Boneparte's and Black-headed Gulls. Feb. 2011, Dunkirk, NY [Photo by Lukas Musher]

First cycle Little Gull. Note wing pattern (as above), short tail, short, relatively straight bill, and rounded wings. Feb. 2011, Dunkirk, NY [Photo by Lukas Musher

First cycle Little Gull.  Note shape, structure, and pattern of upperparts same as above.  Feb. 2011, Dunkirk, NY [Photo by Lukas Musher]

Adult Little Gull.  Note structure same as above. gray upperparts with pale wingtips. Feb 2011, Dunkirk, NY [Photo by Lukas Musher]

Adult Little Gull.  Note, underwing pattern distinctive, all black.  No other North American gull shows this combination of pale upperparts and dark underwing.  Wings rounded, bill short and straight. Feb. 2011, Dunkirk, NY [Photo by Lukas Musher]

By Luke Musher