One of the few warblers with chestnut coloration, Chestnut-sided Warbler is an eastern species so Monday’s birders were happy to see and hear a singing male at Rose Pond. This is a species that prefers second growth mixed woodlands but during migration it is found where the food is. As in most springs, the food at Chico for warblers is found in peachleaf willows whose blooms attract a variety of insects. Chestnut-sided Warbler is one of the species where females don’t look anything like the males, the females having a lime green back. Sadly, migration is coming to a close but each day in May seemed to provide one interesting migrant.

(Photo by Patrice Bouchard on Unsplash)