Helmitheros vermivorum!

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I finally made it to Ferry park to watch the Worm-eating Warbler and, with 45 minutes ticking on the meter... found it 35 minutes into my search. I spent 10 minutes with the charming little bird before losing it in a flurry of sparrows just as the meter expired.

Posted: December 26, 2008

When it finally made an appearance, it didn't seem very impressive. But, then I noticed the lovely subtle hues in its plumage and its wonderfully idiosyncratic behaviour. It was great watching this industrious little bird explore a wide variety of cracks, crevices, and clumps for food.

My initial sighting was in the trees near the maintenance building. The bird was tucked in close to the trunk, searching in the accumulated leaf litter.

It seemed determined and focused on feeding which allowed me a chance to photograph it... though admittedly, this is a tough bird to track through a long lens.

Lovely moments and compositions were invariably populated with interfering twigs and branches - but the challenge was fun. Often it flew toward me into the branches overhead. Here it subdues a little caterpillar.

Meanwhile, less celebritous warblers searched in the recycling.

A little early and optimistic? Actually the little opportunist was seeking out insects making their homes in the disused nest.

A split second in this bush made for a nice picture with color appropriate for the season.

Thanks to everyone on SFBIRDS for posting such detailed information and great pictures of this special winter visitor.

Here is a typical view of the unstoppable Worm-eating Warbler.

Here is a map of its path through the park this morning.

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External Links

Cornell Lab of Ornithology Bird Guide
John W. Wall's Flickr Page
Bill Walker's Flickr Page
Lineatus' wonderful weekly bird diary on Daily Kos