A husky chip, a flash of yellow, a winged jewel fluttering amidst the leaves. Yellow-rumped Warblers are the first warbler to arrive in spring and the last to depart in the fall. They are abundant during peak spring migration in late April and May. On our local walking trail, you can occasionally see flocks of Yellow-rumped Warblers. Last spring, I watched a flock of 30 foraging along the trail. This chance encounter sent me on a journey to bring birds and people together.
Backpacking last summer in the Three Sisters Wilderness, we came across a couple hiking with a Bluetooth speaker strapped to one of their packs, blasting music that could be heard a mile away, completely oblivious to the raptors and songbirds they were drowning out in their own homes. There are so few places where animals can be ~mostly~ free of the sounds of human technology. I was pretty appalled at the time, but I can only hope that couple had a quiet night under the stars, and maybe hiked for a few days in “silence” once they realized how rich it actually is to just be quiet for a while. Your story of the walkers caught up in their “he said, she said” reminded of that experience. I am SO EXCITED to hear of your project. I will be cheering you all on from afar and hoping for frequent posts detailing your progress. This kind of thing is my very favorite. :)
My little town here in southern Maine is getting ready to put in 60 raised beds for a community garden complete with fruit trees, and a pollinator garden. I’ll be putting in my volunteer master gardening hours there this year. You’ve inspired me to see if I they will allow me to put up a couple of bluebird houses around the acreage. They are great at keeping bugs out of the gardens. I have them around my property, and they stay here all year round. Right now, they are feasting on the suet thru this last snow storm we just had.
I saw these warblers last year down near my culvert stream. I was fascinated by them! I’d not seen them before! They didn’t seem to stay long, but I sat in my car and watched them as they came close by in the brush.
we’ve been seeing these beautiful warblers in our backyard and they are a delight! I am reading a book about awe that you should read, by Dacher Keltner. As a local, please, where is this birding place going to be? Thanks for these wonderful columns!
What a lovely project to make such an impactful contribution to birds and the people who love them … and those who will come to love them in the coming years.
"God is beneath us, above us, all around us in all of creation, in our every thought.. neither condemn the particular or shun the ugly, but love them all without exception."
-someone said that once, when the world was young.
Another beautiful and moving post, Bill. Thank you. Your description of the lovely warblers, your unrequited delight in wanting to share them and most of all, the trueism that "Urban trees bear the brunt of our thoughtlessness." brought me to tears. Those tears are testament to how much many of us care about nature. Thank you for reminding me of that. And congratulations on the bird sanctuary!! I look forward to visiting it.
I’m not exactly sure how it happened, but slowly seen it have disengaged not only from the world around them, but sadly at times even from each other. Thank you for this beautiful piece that reminds us to slow down and truly see the world we live in and with whom we share it.
Children must be welcomed to the bird sanctuary to acquaint them with its wonders, lest they grow up to be like the two women you spoke of. Once such a blindness is built, it is hard to make contact. But many kids have native curiosity and can appreciate the need for quiet to see what is really going on in the forest. Who knows perhaps they can wake their parents from their fog to look at the world around them.
I love that you and others are making this happen! I hike regularly in a beautiful, lush state forest and I am constantly amazed by the beauty around me, and equally shocked by the walkers I pass that are oblivious to all of the wonders of nature.
Seeing the warblers captured by your lens is a Friday morning treat.
Reading about your idea coming to life raises a smile.
Hearing that you are living in your sphere of possibility warms my heart.
Best wishes with your project!
Backpacking last summer in the Three Sisters Wilderness, we came across a couple hiking with a Bluetooth speaker strapped to one of their packs, blasting music that could be heard a mile away, completely oblivious to the raptors and songbirds they were drowning out in their own homes. There are so few places where animals can be ~mostly~ free of the sounds of human technology. I was pretty appalled at the time, but I can only hope that couple had a quiet night under the stars, and maybe hiked for a few days in “silence” once they realized how rich it actually is to just be quiet for a while. Your story of the walkers caught up in their “he said, she said” reminded of that experience. I am SO EXCITED to hear of your project. I will be cheering you all on from afar and hoping for frequent posts detailing your progress. This kind of thing is my very favorite. :)
I love that this is going to happen!!
My little town here in southern Maine is getting ready to put in 60 raised beds for a community garden complete with fruit trees, and a pollinator garden. I’ll be putting in my volunteer master gardening hours there this year. You’ve inspired me to see if I they will allow me to put up a couple of bluebird houses around the acreage. They are great at keeping bugs out of the gardens. I have them around my property, and they stay here all year round. Right now, they are feasting on the suet thru this last snow storm we just had.
I saw these warblers last year down near my culvert stream. I was fascinated by them! I’d not seen them before! They didn’t seem to stay long, but I sat in my car and watched them as they came close by in the brush.
Thank you for your thoughtful writing and beautiful photography. Reading this post is very much like being in a sanctuary.
we’ve been seeing these beautiful warblers in our backyard and they are a delight! I am reading a book about awe that you should read, by Dacher Keltner. As a local, please, where is this birding place going to be? Thanks for these wonderful columns!
Wow this is incredibly inspiring and heartwarming! I can almost see the warblers fluttering in an out between your lines.
What a lovely project to make such an impactful contribution to birds and the people who love them … and those who will come to love them in the coming years.
"God is beneath us, above us, all around us in all of creation, in our every thought.. neither condemn the particular or shun the ugly, but love them all without exception."
-someone said that once, when the world was young.
I’m confronted here in a culture where most don’t appreciate nature or animals. Sometimes it really hurts. It’s middle Portugal
Fátima. A place if a thousand statues Maria’s.
Catholic saints and miracles. But a tree and a bird is more a miracle to me.
Another beautiful and moving post, Bill. Thank you. Your description of the lovely warblers, your unrequited delight in wanting to share them and most of all, the trueism that "Urban trees bear the brunt of our thoughtlessness." brought me to tears. Those tears are testament to how much many of us care about nature. Thank you for reminding me of that. And congratulations on the bird sanctuary!! I look forward to visiting it.
I’m not exactly sure how it happened, but slowly seen it have disengaged not only from the world around them, but sadly at times even from each other. Thank you for this beautiful piece that reminds us to slow down and truly see the world we live in and with whom we share it.
Happy sigh…. 🤗🤗😃💕🦜🕊️🦢🦩🪶🌳🌿
Your Yellow-rumped Warbler pics are so fine!!!
Children must be welcomed to the bird sanctuary to acquaint them with its wonders, lest they grow up to be like the two women you spoke of. Once such a blindness is built, it is hard to make contact. But many kids have native curiosity and can appreciate the need for quiet to see what is really going on in the forest. Who knows perhaps they can wake their parents from their fog to look at the world around them.
Hi Bill,
I was thinking it would be where the Hidden Sanctuary. Gotta check it out!
The bird sanctuary is a wonderful idea! Please let me know how I can help make it a reality.
I love that you and others are making this happen! I hike regularly in a beautiful, lush state forest and I am constantly amazed by the beauty around me, and equally shocked by the walkers I pass that are oblivious to all of the wonders of nature.