Known as the "winter warbler" since they winter along both Coasts and across the southern half of the U.S., yellow-rumped warblers are primarily migrants along the Front Range urban corridor and a flock of eight turned up on our Littleton farm this morning.
Calmer than most of their cousins, these warblers are relatively easy to identify as they scour the trees and shrubs for insects, larvae and berries. Here in Colorado, they summer and breed in the mountains (often near timberline) and travel across lower terrain as they head to and from their wintering grounds. Massive flocks are sometimes encountered in Metro Denver in late April or May.
This morning's visitors lingered for an hour or so, relishing the sunny, cool conditions and chasing one another about the property. Their presence is just the latest sign that winter will soon displace our late October heat wave.
