Fall bird migration is in full swing in South Carolina. As our temperatures cool and the days get shorter, many birds start preparing to move south. Many warblers pass through the South Carolina Botanical Garden (SCBG) on their way to subtropical and tropical areas. If you visit the SCBG with your binoculars, you may see some warblers in the migratory flight path located below and behind the Bob Campbell Geology Museum. While you’re there, visit our beautiful new Birding Garden with a viewing platform. If you would like to see more about all migrating birds in real time, visit Birdcast. It is a fantastic resource to discover when, where, and how our birds are traveling.
Warblers are members of the Parulidae family. Half of the roughly 110 species in this family are migratory, spending summers in North America and overwintering in subtropical or tropical climates. Spotting warblers is no easy task since they are very small songbirds, generally less than 6 inches long and weighing under an ounce. Not only this, but they are in constant motion as they dart about in the trees, searching for insects. As with other birds, knowing their song, field marks, range, habits, and preferred habitats can make identification easier, but they are still quite tricky to spot. The challenges faced when searching for warblers make them often a highly prized sight for birdwatchers! To help with identification, I rely on Merlin, a fantastic App from Cornell University that I wrote about in a previous article.
Warblers are not likely to visit a bird feeder in your garden since they prefer mature forests and are predominantly insectivores. However, you can help support and encourage them by providing an insect-rich habitat. Give up chemical pest control as much as possible and instead rely on integrated pest management principles.
Plant a native oak tree! It is estimated that, as a species, oaks are the host plants for 900 species of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) alone.1 In addition, oaks provide cover and nesting sites for many birds and animals beyond warblers. Maple trees are also an important species to add to your landscape for birds.
- Some plants to grow to attract warblers include the following:
- American Elderberry (Nesting, Fruit)
- Eastern Hemlock (Nesting)
- Eastern White Pine (Nesting)
- Maple (Nesting, hosts for insects)
- Northern Bayberry (Favorite of Yellow-Rumped Warbler)
- Oak (Nesting, host for insects)
- Serviceberry (Fruit)
- Willow (Nesting)
- Pokeweed (Fruit)
- Virginia Creeper (Fruit) 2
Although warblers are predominantly insectivores, they will eat berries and seeds if necessary.
Finally, warblers are most attracted to running water. Adding an active water feature to your garden may increase your number of warbler visitors and probably many other happy birds, too!
For more information, see HGIC 1700, Attracting and Feeding Songbirds.
Blue-winged warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera).
Photos from Linda Montgomery
Hooded warbler (Setophaga citrina).
Photos from Linda Montgomery
Bay-breasted warbler (Setophaga castanea).
Photos from Linda Montgomery
Black-and-white warbler (Mniotilta varia).
Photos from Linda Montgomery
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