Male Common Yellowthroat fluffing and drying feathers after his many baths.
Splashing, and then dashing to a nearby tree, splashing and dashing again, and then returning for yet a third bath, this little male Common Yellowthroat seemed to relish in the fresh water at our birdbath. His more subduedly colored mate stayed well hidden and close to the ground and I was thrilled to see them both. This sweet pair of warblers have been in our garden for several days now and perhaps they’ll build their nest here!
Common Yellowthroats were at one time common however, their numbers have been steadily decreasing since the 1960s. Throughout the yellowthroat’s range they are suffering from habitat degradation and loss. Because they live in wetlands and eat primarily insects they, like countless wild creatures, are adversely affected by pesticides and poor water quality.
Good Morning Gloucester 
Kim — terrific photos! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if your sweet little couple did build a nest on your property. Maybe you’d be lucky enough to capture some more pictures so all of us could enjoy them too.
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I think the bitter cold of this past winter killed our beautiful Carolina Wren pair and I miss their beautiful birdsong. It would be wonderful to have this little pair of songsters stay for the summer.
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Awesome warbler photos. Don’t they just move through the area this time of year eating the bugs on the fresh oak leaves? I never see them any other time.
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Thank you Paul. Banding has shown that local Yellowthroats are the first to arrive and to hold territories and that transients heading further north arrive a week or more later.
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Those are great photos of a beautiful little bird. I’ve never seen one, but perhaps their range doesn’t include our vicinity. Warblers are so cool, not least because of their musical calls. I do hope they nest in your yard.
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They are prevalent throughout Massachusetts Bob but I’ve never seen one, let alone a pair, in our garden.
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Beautiful Photo’s. Love the first one. Oh, the bird’s cute too.
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I think they’re adorable too Paul!
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Cute little bird flight check and all! Just before the big splash birdbaths they love it! 🙂 Dave & Kim 🙂
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I will be looking for them here in Southern Maine. Yesterday, we watched a red-headed wood pecker working away at my Oak tree, while we were having Happy Hour in the back yard. Then the usual robins showed up, tap dancing across the lawn. I did observe a gorgeous red cardinal and a yellow oriole, too. Lots of wild life here, ….two squirrels “twitter-pating” (engaging in the mating dance)as they ran across the yard and up the tree.
Great photos, Kim! Thanks for sharing.
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Sounds divine Leslie!
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Beautiful and fun photos Kim! I’ve seen these on Monhegan island in Maine, but never here on Cape Ann. Great to know they are around. Cape Ann has amazing bird diversity.
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Sweet charming birds–thank you Karen.
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