Yellow-rumps on the Move

Yellow-rumped warbler takes flight - Iona Island - 10/14/25

Nature rarely disappoints. We’ve been concerned about the results of a nor’easter that was heading our way this past weekend. While folks along the coast were impacted, we here in the mid-Hudson Valley felt little of its wrath. Rainfall was minimal and winds barely got into double digits. So when I went to one of my favorite birding haunts today to check on any damage, I was pleased to see that other than a few leaves down, we had little evidence of the storm ever having passed out way.

What I was treated to, however, were a good many songbirds flying overhead from tree to tree, feeding upon the various berries. On closer examination, I found that the majority were Yellow-rumped warblers. I should not be surprised, for if you look at the downloaded migration map below, you will see that the area where I was looking in SE New York, was right in the path of these warblers migration on this date.

Species Migration Map showing the path of migrating Yellow-rumped warblers 10/14/25

Yellow-rump feeding upon berries - Iona Island - 10/14/25

These birds are headed for points south including the southern US, Mexico and Central America and are “topping off the tank” before contuing on their venture. In Floridas where we spend our winters, we find high numbers of these little gems throughout the season. What a joy to see so many concentrated in one spot today as they stopped over for a bite at Iona Island. We’ll look forward to seeing them relaxing in the warmth of the southern latitudes in a month or two.