Dilemmafication – yep…it’s a totally made up word to describe the dilemma of warbler identification during fall migration!

It can be so difficult to figure out what kind of warbler is making an appearance when they are rare visitors that I’m unfamiliar with, have similar color tones, and are often popping in and out of the overhead leaves.

Thankfully, I have three tools that help a lot – a supply of water that draws them in, a big ole zoom lens with a fast focus, and an incredibly helpful app called “Picture Bird” that looks at my photo and tells me the name of the bird I am seeing.

Here are a few warblers that stopped by this past week for a sip or a dip that the lens and the app helped me identify.

A Blackburnian Warbler –

A Magnolia Warbler –

And a Cape May Warbler, which was a first for me. This beauty landed on the Cyprus stump…

…and then hopped down into the bird bath for a leisurely soak. I think this bird is just stunning!

I know I’ve said it a lot lately, but I am so enjoying having birds stop in as they are migrating through!