Tag Archives: blackpoll warbler north carolina

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.

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.

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

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

A Blackpoll Warbler encounter at Jordan Lake , NC

November 20, 2022 admin

By Sally Siko

As autumn migration is winding down it’s getting a little more difficult to tick off the remaining warblers that I’ve set out to see for my yearly list.
Most have flown south to spend the winter in warmer locals but sometimes I’ll get lucky and pick up a late bird.
This was the case when I spotted this Blackpoll Warbler while birding last weekend at the Model Airplane Fields on Jordan Lake in New Hill NC.
I hadn’t seen this species all year so I was absolutely elated to catch a glimpse of this sweet little bird while it searched for a snack in the brush.

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.

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.
Though most are likely out of the area by now, it’s still worth keeping an eye out for them over the next week or so.
If ya end up missing out, no worries!
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 on my beloved full frame 50MP beast, the mighty @canonusa #5Ds

Birding Trips and Tours North Carolina

Blackpoll Warbler sighting at Lake Betz

July 3, 2021 admin

While birding a few weeks ago at Lake Betz in Morrisville NC, I got a lucky break by spotting this Blackpoll Warbler hiding in the brush next to the swamp.
He’d been sighted in the area earlier by my friend @nilaytphotography (thanks for the heads up!) but I didn’t think I’d have a chance to see this tiny bird given how dense the bushes were.
Normally my view of Blackpolls is looking up at them from far below a tree. In fact, these are my first two photos ever of this species that aren’t butt shots haha!

Blackpoll Warblers take an incredible migratory journeys each spring. They travel from Venezuela in South America all the way up north and as far west as Nome, Alaska to breed.
Happily they do stop in North Carolina for a short while to rest along the way.
Like most Warbler species they are voracious eaters of insects and are often seen gleaning for a six legged meal in the tree tops.
They are best spotted in the mid to upper canopies of hardwoods in open forest habitats and can be found by listening for their high pitched calls in the woods.

If you’ve missed them this spring, you’ll have another opportunity to see Blackpolls again this year from late September through October here in the Tarheel State.

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