Hooded Warblers nesting at Whitnall Park (2017)

Hooded Warblers have been nesting at Whitnall Park for several years. They had been my nemesis warbler, but not this year. I’ve seen them before, but nothing more than document photos or quick glimpses. When I got a text on May 11th, that a male Hooded Warbler had returned and was singing away, I went to check it out. Little did I know how much fun the next two months would be. I was already at Whitnall Park that morning, photographing a Prothonotary Warbler, among many others. I arrived at the location and could immediately hear him singing. I walked towards the song until it was quite close and set up. I waited and eventually saw him flying around, eating insects, and singing. I watched him for about an hour that day.

On the 25th of May, I came back to the area and again found him singing loudly. This time however, I also found a female, possibly his mate. I photographed the two of them for a little bit and got out of there.

I stopped back a few more times, in the coming weeks, and was surprised to find two more singing males. I could only see the one, most likely the original, as the other two were in some really thick brush. I didn’t see the female during this span. I was hoping she was still there and on a nest.

I came out on 24th of June, and the male was again singing, but out by the parking lot. After walking about the forest a bit, I could hear Acadian Flycatchers singing. While photographing them, I literally stumbled across the Hooded Warbler nest. I was taking pictures of the flycatchers and I kept hearing “chink”, which I didn’t realize was the Hooded Warblers’ warning sound. I turned around and saw the female. She had a moth in her mouth and was scolding me. I quickly got out of there and circled back around to watch where she would go. I saw her go down into a little patch of brush and there it was. I was so excited, I couldn’t believe I finally found it! I was quite surprised at the location, as it was barely hidden. At the same time, I walked by it daily, as did many other people who commonly use the park, and never saw it until then. I guess it was hidden just perfectly. I took a few photos and left, knowing I would have more days to watch them.

I stopped by three days later and was shocked at how big the birds were already. Just a few days ago, they barely had their eyes open. Now for the bad news. As I was taking pictures of the babies resting, I noticed how the two of them took up the entire nest. I thought to myself, “something doesn’t seem right.” Then both parents came to the nest, with food. The babies were the same size of them already. Right away I pulled out my phone and searched “cowbird babies”. Sure enough, they were both Cowbirds. I was so bummed.

I again came back three days later, which was June 30th, and they had already fledged the nest. Again I was shocked. So I started walking back to the truck and could hear the male Hooded Warbler singing, closer to the parking lot. As I got closer, I started hearing the “chink” sound, so I knew I must be close to the fledglings. I started looking around and sitting in the tree less than ten feet from me was a little Cowbird. It was right on the path. I slowly started backing away, until I was at a safe distance, and waited. The female would catch spiders, moths, and bugs, then bring them to the little one. I only saw the one and she never went anywhere else, so I’m guessing that only one made it. Hopefully next year, I will get to see a successful Hooded Warbler nest.

Here is a link to the Hooded Warbler page. Most of the pictures were used on this page, but there are many more.

http://www.jmeyerphotography.net/photo-gallery/photo-gallery-2/hooded-warbler/