By Sally Siko
Autumn migration was amazing! This was my sentiment when I spotted a Blackpoll Warbler while birding back in October at Lake Lynn in Raleigh NC. I hadn’t seen this species in 2023 so I was absolutely elated to catch a glimpse of this sweet little bird while it searched for a snack in the brush.
![](https://birdwatchingnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-17-at-1.10.41 PM.png)
Male Blackpoll Warblers can be tough to ID when not in their familiar black and white breeding plumage.
As seen here dressed in autumn drab colors, they resemble the females and are often confused with Bay-breasted and Pine Warblers.
My go-to ID point are the Blackpoll’s orange feet paired with black legs since both Bay’s and Pines have dark grey feet. This makes it a little easier to figure what I’m looking at when trying to squint out a good look through the leaves.
![](https://birdwatchingnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-17-at-1.10.44 PM.png)
Blackpoll Warblers nest across northern Canada and into Alaska. They are considered a transient visitor to the Tarheel State, only passing through during the migratory periods of spring and fall.
They’ll return to North Carolina in April so you’ll have another opportunity to catch a look then.
Photos by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding captured on my mighty mirrorless monster, the @canonusa #R5