Nature Sad Warbler Story...

Sad Warbler Story... · **1 Like**

(xposted on the 300mm club)
Today, I went out to a place where a Nashville Warbler has been reported since early December. I went there 2 times last week, without being able to observe it, but today it was present... this poor little warbler will probably be killed by the cold in the next coming weeks, when the temperature will drop significantly below -20C. I stayed there for more than an hour observing and taking photos. Temperature was around -8C with a strong wind. The bird was active under the spruces, scavenging on the top soil for... I don't know, These birds normally eat small insects.

Paruline à joues grises / Nashville Warbler [Leiothlypis ruficapilla] by Curculion, on Flickr

Paruline à joues grises / Nashville Warbler [Leiothlypis ruficapilla] by Curculion, on Flickr

After 5-10 minutes of activity, it stopped for about 1-2 minutes, in a sunray, expanding its feathers to keep the heat, closing its eyes like if it was doing a nap.

Paruline à joues grises / Nashville Warbler [Leiothlypis ruficapilla] by Curculion, on Flickr

Paruline à joues grises / Nashville Warbler [Leiothlypis ruficapilla] by Curculion, on Flickr

In this one, it's like if it was looking at me and saying: help me! help me!

I felt very sad when I left .... left it alone in this crisp cold. I whish I could capture it and bring it home, feeding it all winter long, so it would survive...
Sad...

Paruline à joues grises / Nashville Warbler [Leiothlypis ruficapilla] by Curculion, on Flickr

(sniff sniff)

whk1992 · 01-03-2015, 02:36 AM

Don't feel bad about those fluffy balls. They've been around for generations, and they need no down jackets.

**Weevil** · 01-03-2015, 09:35 AM

Hello, I know.. but even if I am a biologist, and am normally pretty detached , not emotional, about the nature and its laws etc.... since I was observing it for a while, I think I developed a kind of attachment this time, knowing its predictable faith... Sad nonetheless

lesmore49 · 01-03-2015, 03:15 PM

Originally posted by Weevil

Hello, I know.. but even if I am a biologist, and am normally pretty detached , not emotional, about the nature and its laws etc.... since I was observing it for a while, I think I developed a kind of attachment this time, knowing its predictable faith... Sad nonetheless

I know what you mean. I visit a riverine forest nearby on a regular basis. Every other year or so, I see a wild duck or Canada Goose....still there by December. At that time the river usually only has a very small patch ...couple square yards....of running water. The rest of the river is solidly frozen over and it's only a matter of time when it will be completely frozen over. All the other geese/ducks have left and I assume that these lonely creatures still here are here due to the fact that either they were injured or for some other reason, unable to depart with their kind. The winters here (prairies) get extremely cold.

**jac** · 01-03-2015, 03:36 PM

A lovely series of shots and, unfortunately, you are probably right. If it can't find enough high calorie food to provide energy for warmth and flight, it may not make it. Sad.

slowpez · 01-04-2015, 08:12 AM

Beautiful captures of a lovely bird. Sad story.

reh321 · 08-21-2018, 10:14 AM

Originally posted by whk1992

Don't feel bad about those fluffy balls. They've been around for generations, and they need no down jackets.

These birds normally migrate long before these photos were taken. I don't know whether this one was sick, or "just" got separated from the flock. In any case, the prognosis for this bird was very poor; we can say this is Darwin at work, but it is still sad. I'm glad the OP gave him his "15 minutes of fame".

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01-03-2015, 09:35 AM	#3
Weevil Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Near Montréal, Québec Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,446 Original Poster	Hello, I know.. but even if I am a biologist, and am normally pretty detached , not emotional, about the nature and its laws etc.... since I was observing it for a while, I think I developed a kind of attachment this time, knowing its predictable faith... Sad nonetheless Last edited by Weevil; 01-03-2015 at 10:44 AM.

01-03-2015, 03:36 PM	#5
jac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada Posts: 2,364	A lovely series of shots and, unfortunately, you are probably right. If it can't find enough high calorie food to provide energy for warmth and flight, it may not make it. Sad. Last edited by jac; 01-04-2015 at 08:23 AM.

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01-03-2015, 02:36 AM	#2
whk1992 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 715	Don't feel bad about those fluffy balls. They've been around for generations, and they need no down jackets.

01-03-2015, 03:15 PM	#4
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,349	Originally posted by Weevil Hello, I know.. but even if I am a biologist, and am normally pretty detached , not emotional, about the nature and its laws etc.... since I was observing it for a while, I think I developed a kind of attachment this time, knowing its predictable faith... Sad nonetheless I know what you mean. I visit a riverine forest nearby on a regular basis. Every other year or so, I see a wild duck or Canada Goose....still there by December. At that time the river usually only has a very small patch ...couple square yards....of running water. The rest of the river is solidly frozen over and it's only a matter of time when it will be completely frozen over. All the other geese/ducks have left and I assume that these lonely creatures still here are here due to the fact that either they were injured or for some other reason, unable to depart with their kind. The winters here (prairies) get extremely cold.

01-04-2015, 08:12 AM	#6
slowpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 18,461	Beautiful captures of a lovely bird. Sad story.

08-21-2018, 10:14 AM	#7
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,184	Originally posted by whk1992 Don't feel bad about those fluffy balls. They've been around for generations, and they need no down jackets. These birds normally migrate long before these photos were taken. I don't know whether this one was sick, or "just" got separated from the flock. In any case, the prognosis for this bird was very poor; we can say this is Darwin at work, but it is still sad. I'm glad the OP gave him his "15 minutes of fame".