Photographing Two Yellow Warbler Nests

Female Yellow Warbler in nest with nesting materials – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Yesterday morning I found not one but two Yellow Warbler nests high in the Wasatch Mountains because I paid attention to the movements of two female warblers. The first Yellow Warbler nest I found was in a willow thicket. I saw the female Yellow Warbler fly in and watched as she made her way into the thicket. When she stopped moving I scoped her with my lens and saw her on the nest. The female warbler had nesting material in her bill.

Female Yellow Warblers construct the nests of this species. The males do not help with nest construction but do feed the females while they incubate.

Female Yellow Warbler in her nest – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The area where the female Yellow Warbler decided to build her nest is cluttered and messy. In just a matter of days I won’t be able to see the nest because the willow will leaf out. Despite all the branches I loved the view I had of the female Yellow Warbler on her nest in the willows. I had a window between the branches through which I had a small and delightful view into this warbler’s world.

I tried hard to point this nest out to a friend. They did not succeed in seeing it that day.

The nest of this Yellow Warbler appears to be near completion. It was a thrill to watch the warbler moving around in the nest as she formed the cup that will hold her precious eggs while she incubates them.

The Second Yellow Warbler Nest

Female Yellow Warbler building her nest – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The second Yellow Warbler nest I found yesterday was in a small hawthorn. Pointing this nest out was much, much easier.

This female Yellow Warbler appears to have only recently begun to build this nest. The light I had on it wasn’t as good as it was on the first nest because of large clouds floating through the sky. When I first spotted this female Yellow Warbler she was in a clump of willows. When she flew to the hawthorn I tracked her with my lens and saw the fluffy, light colored materials of her nest nestled in the branches.

Female Yellow Warbler nesting in a hawthorn – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

While I wish the light had been better when I photographed this female Yellow Warbler working in her nest it was getting late in the morning and the presence of the clouds actually softened the shadows that would have been an issue.

I’ve been photographing Yellow Warblers in the Wasatch Mountains for years and it felt great to find one of their nests. It felt even more amazing to find two on the same morning.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Yellow Warbler photos plus facts and information about this species.

Ethics on photographing nesting birds:

• Do not approach too closely;
• If the birds show any sign of distress, back away;
• Don’t trim leaves, twigs or branches to get a clearer shot, you may inadvertently attract predators or cause the eggs/chicks to over heat;
• Follow local, state and federal guidelines concerning nesting birds;
• Don’t harass the birds to get an action shot;
• Don’t stay a long time with nesting birds or chicks, that disrupts their normal behavior;
• Always remember that your scent may draw predators to the area of nesting birds or birds with chicks.

For more information on the ethics of photographing nesting birds or chicks check out the Principles of Birding Ethics published by the American Birding Association.