Warblers are the most varied and numerous nymphs of the two migrations. We get our greatest diversity of warblers at the very end of September and this year was no exception. One of our best-known species is the American Redstart, with insect-scaring flash colors in their wings and tail. Enjoy the symbolism of thus guy…

Black-throated Green Warblers are fairly common still, while many other species seem to be disappearing. This is a young male, without the large area of black on the chest of the full adults. This species is closely related to several other warblers, such as the Hermit, Townsend’s and Golden-cheeked, but they are common and widespread in the East.

A lesser-seen species is the Blue-winged Warbler, famous for hybridizing with Golden-winged Warblers. Birds with golden-winged genes have yellow wing-bars, which this one does not have. The black eye-line is diagnostic, as otherwise they are just one of many mostly-yellow warblers. Ecologically, theyseem to be taking over some of the golden-wing’s habitat.

Canada Warblers are famous for their dark top, blending with their dark (shady) habitat in the migration. Their yellow underside is punctuated by their black necklace and also an absence of wing and tail patches. Very few “yellow” warbles have white eyerings like Canadas and their chip is also loud and diagnostic.

This is a Common Yellowthroat but is a bit confusing, as it is an immature male. The black mask is not well-developed and his colors will get a bit more intense. The yellow throat is obvious when the bird turns his head but in their thick habitat, it is sometimes not easy to see. Thisspecies seems to prefer breeding in marshes, seldom with other warblers. They are most often detected by their “chack” call note.

Still relatively common is the Chestnut-sided Warbler, with this fall malelooking pretty sharp. Their pea-green top and chestnut streak on the flanks make them easy to recognize and they breed in the Southern Appalachians in big numbers. Many of these eastern warblers are not common in Texas in fall, and frankly have had their overall numbers reduced in the last quarter-century.

A pretty non-descript bird is the female Mourning Warbler, often called a female yellow-throat by many I’ve birded with. The incomplete eyering, gray up front and overall drab¬ness helps but this group is atough bunch of birds to ID correctly. Ground-working warblers tend to have oversized bills and very good camouflage.

Superficially like the Mourning Warbler, but smalland dainty, Nashvilles become very common from late September throughout October. Curiously, this istrue of Wilson’s (earlier), but neither is found much on the coast in spring (they take an inland route). These are very closely-related to Tennessees butthe gray hood, white eyering and yellow underside are diagnostic.

Wilson’s Warblers are very common in September, although many less-experienced birders pass them up for Yellow Warblers. The male’s black, French cap is obvious but with the gals, you have to spy the light, yellow line over the eye. They are smaller and more active than Yellow Warblers and tend to forage lower.

Yellow Warblers have no real markings on them and are extremely abundant throughout September. Adult males are the most yellow and immature females are the least, so you can see all shades of yellow from these conspicuous creatures (this is an adult female). Races of the Yellow Warbler have colonized islands in the Caribbean and even the Galapagos!