A new visitor to the backyard

The autumn retreat of the wood warblers through my yard continues, much to my delight. The latest one to pass through - at least the latest one that stopped to introduce itself - was this lovely little bird.

At first glance, I thought I was seeing a Townsend's Warbler, which I've had passing through the yard before. But then I noticed something different about the bird and when I uploaded my pictures and looked at them it was even more obvious.


Can you see that faint yellow wash across the vent area? That is diagnostic of the Black-throated Green Warbler, a bird that is very similar to the Townsend's. The Black-throated Green is actually the more common of the two, but I had never seen one in the yard before. No doubt they had been here, as I am sure have many other birds that I haven't observed, but this was the species' first "official" visit. It was number 111 on my yard list.


Like all the warblers I have seen in my yard recently, this one was attracted by my little fountain.

It hopped down from the redbud tree where it was perched and took a good luck at the water before plunging in.

It had a nice long wash-up in the gurgling water.



Then back to the redbud tree.

And soon he was ready to be on his way south again...

...leaving one happy birder behind - looking for my next colorful visitor.

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