Sometimes I go to see birds and sometimes the birds come to see me. Here’s the latest edition of Backyard Birds, featuring the return of Northern Parulas.
Parulas are colorful little gray, white, yellow and orange warblers who visit the area during breeding season. They are usually found high up in trees — as they were in an large oak in my backyard. They have a very distinctive song, with a trill sound at the end.
Also dropping by were some Tufted Titmice, a few warblers, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet as well as an appearance by the resident male Northern Cardinal.
And though they were in my front yard instead of the back, some Cedar Waxwings stopped by every so briefly. I hope they come back.
Female Northern Parula, my backyard, February 2025.Male Northern Parula, my backyard, February 2025.Male Northern Parula, my backyard, February 2025.Male Northern Parula, my backyard, February 2025.Female Northern Parula, my backyard, February 2025.Female Northern Parula, my backyard, February 2025.Tufted Titmouse, my backyard, February 2025.Tufted Titmice, my backyard, February 2025.Tufted Titmouse, my backyard, February 2025.Cedar Waxwings, my front yard, March 2025.Cedar Waxwing, my front yard, March 2025.Black-and-white Warbler, my backyard, February 2025.Ruby-crowned Kinglet, my backyard, February 2025.Yellow-rumped Warbler, my backyard, February 2025.Male Northern Cardinal, my backyard, February 2025.Male Northern Cardinal, my backyard, February 2025.
It was typical 2024 Florida winter weather when I visited Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, Jan. 27. It was sunny, then cloudy, then rainy, then cloudy, then sunny, etc. Rinse and repeat, as they say.
I was surprised to find so many Barn Swallows along Joe Overstreet Road, but their early migration let me see just how different their appearance can be.
The small part that I did see was impressive – a great pond with lots of wading birds and a rookery for egrets and other birds. An adult and juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron flew overhead, and a pair of Roseate Spoonbills were hanging around.
