Tag Archives: american redstart

Birding Trips and Tours North Carolina, Out There with the Expert

Warbler season is upon us- American Redstart in NC

By Sally Siko

Green leaves are sprouting out on all of the trees, it’s really starting to look like springtime here in central NC.The treetop canopies are becoming dense now bringing the arrival of hatching insects which are closely followed by flocks of migrating Warblers such as these beautiful American Redstarts.



With that bold black and bright orange plumage and their loud calls echoing through the woods, male Redstarts are impossible birds to ignore when hiking along a trail.*Not that I’ve ever thought of ignoring them lol!These birds are freak’n gorgeous and although they’re relatively easy to find, I’ve spent many hours trying to catch a proper photograph of one for years but with no luck.Happily I finally came close with these shots which I took while birding in Bynum NC.One of the nice things about this species of warbler is that when flocks of them move into the area, they’re relatively easy to find and photograph.This is because Redstarts tend to hunt for food in the mid to lower understory of open deciduous woodlands, forest edges, near roadside trees, in open areas like orchards, shrubby edges of streams and ponds, brushy edges of sunny pastures, and suburban parks.Or to put it another way, unlike many other species of warblers you won’t break your neck or hurt your eyes by searching for them high up in the trees of a dark forest lol!

The American Redstart is a somewhat unusual bird in that they’re both a breeding resident and transient migratory visitor to North Carolina with populations fluctuating wildly in different regions throughout the year.They are known to nest in both the mountains in the western part of the state and along a narrow north/NE to south/SW strip in several of the counties in central NC which is kinda odd.Generally though your best bet in finding them is from now through mid May and then again from September through early October during migration periods.Get out there and enjoy them!

Photos & video by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding on my mighty megapixel monster, the @canonusa #5Ds

Birding Trips and Tours North Carolina, Field Notes

Good to see the American Redstarts are back in NC

By: Sally Siko

Green leaves are sprouting out on all of the trees, it’s really starting to look like springtime here in central NC.
The treetop canopies are becoming dense now bringing the arrival of hatching insects which are closely followed by flocks of migrating Warblers such as these beautiful American Redstarts.



With that bold black and bright orange plumage and their loud calls echoing through the woods, male Redstarts are impossible birds to ignore when hiking along a trail.
*Not that I’ve ever thought of ignoring them lol!
These birds are freak’n gorgeous and although they’re relatively easy to find, I’ve spent many hours trying to catch a proper photograph of one for years but with no luck.
Happily I finally came close with these shots which I took while birding in Bynum NC last week.

One of the nice things about this species of warbler is that when flocks of them move into the area, they’re relatively easy to find and photograph.
This is because Redstarts tend to hunt for food in the mid to lower understory of open deciduous woodlands, forest edges, near roadside trees, in open areas like orchards, shrubby edges of streams and ponds, brushy edges of sunny pastures, and suburban parks.
Or to put it another way, unlike many other species of warblers you won’t break your neck or hurt your eyes by searching for them high up in the trees of a dark forest lol!



The American Redstart is a somewhat unusual bird in that they’re both a breeding resident and transient migratory visitor to North Carolina with populations fluctuating wildly in different regions throughout the year.
They are known to nest in both the mountains in the western part of the state and along a narrow north/NE to south/SW strip in several of the counties in central NC which is kinda odd.
Generally though your best bet in finding them is from late April through mid May (aka. like right now!) and then again from September through early October during migration periods.
Get out there and enjoy them!

Photos by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding on my beloved full frame 50MP beast, the mighty @canonusa #5Ds

Field Notes, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

American redstart vs. Tennessee warbler at Charles d. Owen park

View this post on Instagram

These two little birds, an American Redstart (bottom ) & Tennessee Warbler (top ) were among the most common species that I saw at Charles Owen Park in Swannanoa NC last week. Similar in size and demeanor, both Warblers are energetic foragers, flitting from bush to tree, actively clambering over vegetation and flying out to catch insects. Apparently though, the female Redstart had very little patience for the antics of her Tennessee shadow. At one point she attacked the young bird by dive bombing him. Swipe through to the second photo to see her in attack mode haha! After a brief scuffle, the smaller bird made a hasty retreat across the lake leaving the Redstart to continue to foraging in peace. Now that fall migration is well underway here in NC, Warblers of various species are moving through the state in vast numbers. Species that normally live in the mountains are showing up in yards in the Piedmont. Others that nest in Canada are making a limited appearance too! If you love Warblers, now is the time to go find ‘em! Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the mighty 50MP full frame, the @canonusa #5Ds

A post shared by Bird Watching N.C. (@birdwatching_nc) on



Field Notes, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

An American redstart sighting at Yates Mill Park

Finally managed to get a halfway decent few photos of an American Redstart at Yates Mill Park this morning in Raleigh, NC.
These sharp looking birds are a real challenge for me to photograph! They tend to stick to the mid & upper canopies of trees and prefer to keep to the shade.


If I’m lucky, I’ll get the wings in focus but their head is hidden. Then the head pops out and before I can press the shutter, their gone, lol!
The American Redstart is a summertime resident of North Carolina. They are usually found near marshes, ponds and swamps hiding in the hardwood trees along the shore.
Photo by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc
Canon 5Ds

Field Notes, Out There with the Expert, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

An American Redstart at Bass Lake Park, Holly Springs NC

Found a female American Redstart at Bass Lake Park in Holly Springs, NC.
These beautiful birds spend their breeding season throughout the eastern United States including here in North Carolina.
Now that autumn migration has arrived, people all over the east coast will get the chance to see them as the head south to their tropical homes in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
If they don’t normally live in your area, keep an eye out for them from now through the end of October.
Photo by @sally_siko
Canon 5Ds