Sedge Wren

Sedge Wrens, Cistothorus platensis, were few and far between earlier this summer. Birders throughout my province were noting this little bird's absence.  I was beginning to wonder if I would ever find one for my year list.  Then, early one bright and sunny morning, about three weeks ago, I stopped beside a hayfield and heard its distinctive song.

The bird was close, in some tall grass in the ditch at the edge of the field.  I sat and waited, camera to hand.  Shortly this little fellow flew up to a tall thistle and belted out several repetitions of its trilling song (which you can hear by clicking on the link at the bottom of this post)

While many birds faithfully return to the same locations every year, this tiny bird (4 1/2 inches or 11 cm long, same size as a House Wren) is nomadic by nature, going where the grass and sedge is offering good nesting conditions.  

In the following days, I heard Sedge Wrens everywhere I went in this area.  The flood water had drained away and the grasses lining sloughs were looking pretty prime for any late-nesting birds.

Go to All About Birds to read more and listen to the bird's song
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/sedge_wren/sounds