Tag Archives: jordan lake park bird photography

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

A Blackpoll Warbler encounter at Jordan Lake , NC

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

Black-throated Blue Warbler migration at Jordan lake

There are certain birds out there that I’ve seen several times over the years but haven’t got a proper good look at.
Sure, this is fine for my life list but as a photographer, it’s unsatisfying.
Case in point, this Black-throated Blue Warbler.


Though I was grateful to spot a lovely pair at Ebenezer Point at the Jordan Lake SRA this past weekend, unfortunately I was thwarted again of a great shot by these little beauties proclivity for ducking behind the leaves. Thank goodness for @canonusa R5 Animal Eye Focus so that I could at least catch a few useable photos lol!
Though I spent almost an hour trying to capture an unobscured portrait of one, it was not to be.
Not that this is a problem though.
Now I’ve got a great reason to get back out there to find them again to try for that “perfect” frame filling shot.
Which is of course, fine by me 😉



Black-throated Blue Warblers are absolutely stunning little birds. The males are dressed in black, blue and white plumage while the females are a lovely shade of sage green, bluish grey and tan.
Weighing in at .37 ounces and measuring just 5.7 inches in length these guys are tough to photograph as they move quickly in the trees picking at the the underside of leaves in search of a meal.
That being said, unlike many other species of wood warblers, Black-throated Blue’s tend to hunt in the mid to lower canopy of trees which is a nice way to avoid “warbler neck” during autumn migration 😉

They’ll only stick around NC for a few more days before heading south for the winter but the Black-throated Blues will return in late April so if you’ve missed a look (or photo lol!) of them this year, no worries!
There is always next spring to continue the chase…

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on my mirrorless megapixel monster, the mighty @canonusa #R5

Birding Trips and Tours North Carolina, Field Notes

Yellow-throated Warbler autumn migration at Jordan Lake SRA

Here’s another bird I’ve been seeing in higher numbers this year, the Yellow-throated Warbler.
These little gems seem to pop up everywhere I’ve gone birding in North Carolina since May and I couldn’t be happier about it 🙂


I spotted the bird in the first photo a few days ago at Ebenezer Point in Pittsboro NC and the second bird this past May at Yates Mill Park in Raleigh NC.

Perhaps the reason why “warbler neck” is a thing, Yellow-throated Warblers are best spotted in the mid to high canopy of the trees searching for insects and spiders as they pry into crevices along branches.
Unlike other warblers that move quickly and sporadically while hunting for food, Yellow-throated’s are slower moving and deliberate when hunting as they scour the branches, leaves, and ground for a snack.
This makes them a bit easier to observe and photograph which is always nice lol!

Arriving in late March Yellow-throated Warblers may be found throughout most of the state however they are somewhat more common in our eastern counties.
Look for Yellow-throated’s in varied habitats like dry pine stands and also in the tall trees growing along shorelines of ponds, lakes and streams. They are also fond of swampy areas too which makes for a pretty diverse range of opportunities in which to find them.
Unfortunately they will be leaving NC soon to head south for the winter so try and get out and see them this week or you’ll have to wait until spring to enjoy these delightful little birds again.

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on my twin mighty megapixel dragons the @canonusa#R5 & the #5Ds

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

Enjoying the Cape May Warblers at Jordan Lake SRA

It’s not often that I’ll post the same species of bird twice in a week but there were tons of Cape May Warblers putting on a show at Ebenezer Point at Jordan Lake in Pittsboro North Carolina recently.
It was great to see so many of them flitting through the trees, chasing each other while feasting any six or eight legged snack that dared cross their path in the canopy.



These lovely warblers were named for the county of Cape May, NJ where the species was first noted in scientific literature.
Sitting at the southern tip of New Jersey, bordering the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic, Cape May county is the premier destination for migrating birds along the east coast of the US.

Though Cape May Warblers stop in NJ when traveling between their breeding & wintering grounds, they are hardly alone as hundreds of different bird species are found in Cape May county every year during each migration cycles.
It seems like an odd name to give these beauties as it hardly describes any of the species unique characteristics.



Given the Cape May’s preference for nesting & feeding in conifer forests, perhaps a better name might be spruce warbler or maybe even tiger warbler since they sport those bold black stripes on it’s warm yellow breast.
Moniker choice aside, these feathered gems are standout birds in my eyes and I’m always grateful to catch a glimpse of Cape May every autumn.

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the mighty mirrorless monster of a camera, the @canonusa
#R5

Birding Trips and Tours North Carolina, Field Notes

A Yellow Warbler encounter at Jordan Lake SRA

Here’s a bit of feathered sunshine to brighten your day, a Yellow Warbler!


I was pleasantly surprised to find a pair of them yesterday afternoon while birding at Jordan Lake in central NC.
It was neat to be able to catch a good look at these beauties hunting for insects in a stand of trees along the shoreline.

Yellow Warblers are true omnivores and are able to adapt their diets to suit the bounty of a given season.
During the spring and summer, their diet is based on insects such as leafhoppers, beetles, wasps, midges and caterpillars. They are often seen hovering over tree branches as they glean to catch the flash of light reflecting off of an insect’s wings.
When the weather cools, berries and fruits may also be consumed during the autumn winter months to supplement their normal diet when insects are scarce.



Unfortunately these gorgeous birds won’t be in North Carolina much longer in 2021 as they’ll soon migrate to locations in Central America and northern South America to spend the winter.
If you missed them this year, no worries they will be back again here in the Tarheel State sometime around mid April 2022.

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the mighty @canonusa
#5ds

Field Notes, Instagram Birding, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

TBW a Tufted Titmouse encounter at Jordan Lake

View this post on Instagram

Is there anything cuter then a young Tufted Titmouse? Nope, lol! Here’s some of my favorite shots from a family of Tufted Titmice that I found earlier this year at the Jordan Lake SRA in New Hill, N.C. They are known to nest in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties with a breeding season that runs March through May. Tufted Titmice prefer to build their nests inside old Woodpecker holes bored into tree trunks. Lining their nest with grass, feathers and other soft materials, they provide a safe and warm home for their nestlings, hidden away inside the tree. The young are able to take their first jumps into the air after just 16 days and will begin the breeding cycle within their first year. These cheerful birds spend the entire year here in NC and may be found in abundance throughout the eastern United States from southern Maine all the way down to Florida. They are closely related to Chickadees and often travel with them foraging for a meal in mixed flocks. Keep an eye out for them in your own neighborhood as they are a familiar sight at most backyard feeders here in the Tarheel State 🙂 Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the fabulous full frame SLR, the @canonusa #5Ds

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

Field Notes, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

An encounter with a Tufted Titmouse Fledgling at Jordan lake

Went out to Jordan Lake a couple of weeks ago with my son to see what I could find and was delighted to find a Tufted Titmouse nest filled with fledglings!


These little guys were very curious about us and were absolutely adorable as they peeked out of their tree.
We even got to see one of them fly out for the very first time! How sweet is that?!

Titmice build bowl-shaped nests inside holes of trees bored out by Woodpeckers. They first fill the cavity with damp leaves, moss, grasses, and bark strips. Then, they line this cup with soft materials such as hair, fur, wool, and cotton. They’ve even been known to pluck hairs directly from living mammals such as raccoons, cows, horses and others.
Incubation takes around 13 days with fledging taking place about 16 days after hatching.


It’s hard to believe that that the little ones we found are under 3 weeks old, yet they already are taking off to explore the world.
Such a lovely thing to see on a fine spring morning 🙂

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc
Canon 5Ds

Field Notes, Instagram Birding, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

An Ovenbird encounter at the Jordan Lake State Park recreation Area

View this post on Instagram

While exploring the woods near the Audubon Observation Deck near Apex, N.C., I heard a familiar melody echoing through the trees. I followed the song to a small clearing and was rewarded with the sight of a beautiful little Ovenbird perched on a low lying branch. This warbler can be found foraging for insects and grubs on the floor of North Carolina’s mature forests–those that are usually dry with deciduous trees, but you can also find them in wet areas or in northern coniferous forests. They prefer to hang out in areas with little or no underbrush making them relatively easy to find in the dark woods. By the way, did you know that the term "oven" bird comes from the shape of their ground nests which look like a little oven? Neat! 🙂 Photo by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc Canon 5Ds . . . . #birdnerd #birdsofinsta #birdsofinstagram #ncwildlife #birding #birdwatching #birdwatchers #bird #birds #ncbirding #ncbirds #ncbirdwatching #canon #canon5ds #ncoutdoors #ncnature #canonwildlife #ncwildlifephotographer #northcarolinabirding #birdwatchingnc #northcarolinabirds #audubonsociety #birdoftheday #audubonnc #ovenbird #bestbirds #bestbirdshots #birds #birdwatcher #jordanlakenc

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

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

A Hooded Warbler at Jordan Lake

Hooded Warbler

Got my first sighting of a handsome male Hooded Warbler a few days ago at the Jordan Lake State Recreation area near the Audubon Observation Deck!

These gorgeous birds breed here in central North Carolina as well as across eastern North America. They are likely to be found in mature hardwood forests within close proximity to water sources. Look for them in the lower and mid canopy’s of trees and even in shrubs and thickets.

Hooded Warblers prefer deeply shaded habitats. This one was no different!
It was very difficult to photograph this bird as he was well hidden in the dense dark brush. Unfortunately, I had to over expose this photo just to be able to capture his colors.
Still, I’m just glad that I got to see him!
They have such unique faces, remarkably beautiful with those deep black eyes set in a cheerful yellow plumage.
In fact, their preference for foraging in dim environments may be the reason why they have larger eyes than most other warblers in the United States.
Such a cool adaptation!

I’m so happy to have finally seen one of these feathered gems and can’t wait to head back out again to try and get a better photograph of another soon 🙂 Photo by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc
Canon 5Ds

Bird watching Videos, Field Notes, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

N.C. Video Birding : Tufted Titmice at Jordan Lake

By: Sally Siko – Admin Birdwatching NC

A few days ago, I took a quick trip to Jordan Lake with my son to see what I could find. We spotted a few Bald Eagles and a Hooded Warbler but were most pleased to find a whole bunch of fledgling Tufted Titmice flying for the first time.

What a joy it was to watch these tiny birds exploring the world.