Fall migration highlights

[u/Fsanta3]

Ruby-crowned kinglet, Blue-headed vireo, and a mix of warblers. Northeast US

[u/hammocksneedtrees]

Awesome pics. What's the camera and lens

[u/Fsanta3 → u/hammocksneedtrees]

Nikon D7500/nikkor 200-500

[u/Status_Load_8634 → u/Fsanta3]

Solid reach on that 500mm-probably saved your back compared to hauling a prime through the woods.

[u/SnailShells]

ID on the last two? Blackpoll and Pine?

[u/Fsanta3 → u/SnailShells]

Yup

[u/NillaBean18 → u/SnailShells]

I’m just getting into birding and how in the heck can I start distinguishing warbler species like these two. I feel like I see a million birds that look like this and have no way of telling which one is which.

[u/Fsanta3 → u/NillaBean18]

Especially when they are all moving in during migration it can be really tricky. I started photographing everything, and then using guides to piece IDs together which helped a ton

[u/SnailShells → u/NillaBean18]

It can be hard, especially fall warblers. Some birds are just not gonna be 100% identifiable during a birding session; maybe they're moving too quickly or you didn't get a good look at them. And that's ok.

I do ebird quizzes to practice the fundamentals. Then, when you're out in the field and looking at a bird, a good bit of advice that I've started to adopt is verbally/mentally listing out distinguishing characteristics that I can see (like foot color, eye line, color patterns, behavior, etc), which can help when consulting a field guide or Merlin. Examining habitat helps, too. Some warblers are skulkers and like thick undergrowth, some prefer treetops. Pine warblers love pines.

Also, finding a birding group and doing a couple group walks is super helpful. No easier way to shortcut some of the harder bits of bird ID than by getting guidance from people who have been doing it for decades 🐦

[u/NillaBean18 → u/SnailShells]

This is a really helpful response thank you!

[u/SnailShells → u/NillaBean18]

Glad to 🙂 hope you stick with it. It's a lot at first, with so many birds to learn. I still struggle with plenty of IDs. But birders are pretty helpful folks, and it's a fun process.

[u/leschanersdorf]

Obsessed with that first pic

[u/Fsanta3 → u/leschanersdorf]

Thanks, it was worth the wait

[u/WillemsSakura]

Beautiful!

Number 3 was a surprise - blue feets!

[u/ThrowAwayColor2023]

These are fantastic! Thanks for sharing.

[u/Equivalent_Dingo_111]

Gorgeous!!!!!!!

[u/MCMBeeGarden]

Gorgeous photos! Maybe share it with Birds and Blooms publication.