The Blackpoll Warbler is a rare warbler in our checklist area, breeding in the northern part of the province and primarily migrating east of the Rockies. They are one of the furthest traveling migrants of the warblers; wintering in South America as far south as northern Argentina. Migration is likely the most likely time for us to encounter one, and not surprisingly, currently the four records for the checklist area are all from fall migration in September.

Similar species:
Fall warblers can be challenging as most shed their bright breeding colours prior to migration and morph into a completely differently plumaged bird. These more drab birds, combined with their similarly plumaged juveniles, add an element of fun to fall migration. Blackpoll Warblers are notoriously similar, in fall, to Pine and Bay-breasted Warblers. The two latter are less widespread, rare to accidental to B.C. and have yet to be encountered in the checklist area. Fieldmarks for Blackpoll Warblers in the fall include pale legs (usually), white undertail coverts and wing-bars and faint streaks. Breeding adults are much more obvious and can be reminiscent of Black-throated Grey and Black and White Warblers .

Sources:
Ehrlich, Dobkin and Wheye, (1988)
Kaufman, K (1990)

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