Arboretum: Warblers and Trillium

I returned to the Arboretum last Thursday to see if I could pick out a few migrating warblers. I was happy to see four species.

First, the American redstart. These birds spend the winter in the region from southern Mexico and the Caribbean to northeastern South America.

American redstart
American redstart


Next, the yellow warbler, one I had seen before. Yellow warblers migrate from Central America and northern South America.

Yellow warbler
Yellow warbler

The yellow-rumped warbler was also not new to me. They may not go as far to over-winter, staying within the U.S. or going farther south to Central America or the Caribbean.

Yellow-rumped warbler showing its yellow rump patch
Yellow-rumped warbler

And, finally, I saw a palm warbler. These are some of the first warblers to reach us here in Boston. In fact, it was rare to see one so late in the season. Most have already left for their breeding grounds in Canada by this point.

Palm warbler
Palm warbler

Among the other birds I saw were this singing wood thrush.

Wood thrush
Wood thrush

The great blue heron I saw flying over last time was standing stock-still in one of the ponds near the Rose Garden.

Great blue heron in one of the ponds
Great blue heron

Full list of sightings on e-bird

I found a patch of trilliums on the Oak Path. These trilliums are native wildflowers. The plants have three leaves in a whorled arrangement.

Trillium erectum flower
Red trillium or red wakerobin (Trillium erectum)
Trillium grandiflorum white flower
White trillium or white wakerobin (Trillium grandiflorum)

I think that the pink flowers are also white trillium.

Trillium grandiflorum pink flower
Possibly a pink variety of white trillium
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