Another colorful bird to be on the lookout for at the Weymouth Woods Sandhills Preserve during the summer is the Prothonotary Warbler.
With that vibrant golden plumage, they’re cheerful sight indeed whenever your lucky enough to spot one hunting for a six or eight legged meal in the trees.

Prothonotarys are best found in moist habitats like swamps, bogs and marshes. They can also be seen in the brush and hardwood trees alongside streams, ponds and lakes.
I found this beauty near the beaver dam & creek while birding at the WWSP last weekend.
There were plenty of insects flying around the water so it’s a good spot to sit and wait for the birds to show up. (don’t forget the bug spray if you visit though lol)

These lovely feathered gems show up in North Carolina during spring migration in mid April. The males arrive first to establish their breeding territory’s and begin scoping out prime nesting sites.
As cavity nesters (one of only two species of Warbler that do this) Prothonotarys raise their young in unused Woodpecker nests or in other holes in trees.
The male bird will start the process by building several starter nests in different locations to expand his territory and provide optional choices for his future mate.

When the females come along a few weeks later, the male will show the her his array of nests then allows her to choose the one that suits her needs best.
Once the male wins a mate, the female will take over the rest of the nest construction, adding materials such as rootlets, plant down, and other soft grasses and plants to the nest cup.

While I was only able to photograph this single Prothonotary that morning, I did hear a second one calling out from the brush nearby. It would be great if they are mated pair and had a nest nearby.
I’m hoping to make another trip out to the Weymouth Woods Sandhills Preserve within a few weeks. Hopefully there will be some young Prothonotarys to see there hunting over the creek with their parents!

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the full frame beast of an SLR, the mighty @canonusa
#5Ds