BRUCE MACTAVISH: Finding rare prothonotary warbler in NL 'a small miracle'

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeAtlantic CanadaEntertainment & LifeNewfoundland & LabradorNewfoundland And Labrador Lifestyle BRUCE MACTAVISH: Finding rare prothonotary warbler in NL 'a small miracle' The brightly-coloured prothonotary warbler is a rare sighting in NL and likely got off course during its migration Author of the article: By Bruce Mactavish  •  For The Telegram Published Sep 21, 2026 Last updated 9 minutes ago 4 minute read Glowing like a light bulb, the prothonotary warbler stopped just long enough to give a good view. Bruce Mactavish Article content Warblers come in endlessly pleasing designs and colour matches, but none evoke the birder’s imagination like the prothonotary warbler. It virtually glows orange in the dark wooded swamplands it haunts. Article content This southern warbler is a rarity in Canada. In fall migration, the occasional prothonotary warbler gets off course and ends up in Atlantic Canada. When Sheldon Anthony posted pictures of a warbler he had not seen before on the rare bird alert, he inadvertently sent a ripple of excitement through the birdwatching community. It was a prothonotary warbler in Tors Cove. Article content Article content Article content Warblers are small, active birds inhabiting the dense foliage. Relocating such a little mite in Tors Cove was going to be a challenge. Article content Five of us were on the scene as soon as it was possible, driving south from St. John’s. Sheldon’s directions were precise, but we could not find it there. Article content Knowing prothonotary warblers’ preference for damp woods, we went to the well-known willow grove on Long Run Road. The wet patch of willows had harboured rare birds in the past. Article content Actually finding it there was a small miracle. For a couple of minutes the five of us followed the bird, securing glimpses of the orange ball as it moved through the dense willow grove. At one time, it sat still for a matter of seconds, unobstructed by leaves. Article content The glowing yellow-orange head and breast with the big black eye and steely blue wings created a living orb. The cameras went wild. The low overcast and drizzle required serious camera adjustments to capture images of the bird correctly in the poor light. Article content Article content It flew across the road just as a sixth birder arrived. That was it. It has not been seen since, though it…