Hi, Thonoto! You probably do have a good habitat for a prothonotary. But one thing to remember is that (like most/all warblers) they are very small. Just about the same size as a Carolina wren at 5". (Scrub jays for comparison are 11", cardinals 8-9" or so). Maybe thinking about size will help you pinpoint it better. Prothonotaries are so vivid, they take your breath away. I've seen them many times, but almost always while canoeing. They nest in cavities along river banks, so the wetlands are a good area for them. But the general impression to my eye is a blue and buttery gold bird. The always look bluer to me than they show in photos, and the gold is VERY clear and brilliant. There are several other warblers with green-gray coloration and loads with yellow on them, so you might have to catch another glimpse to really ID your visitor. Almost all of them are insect eating, though I have had a couple of different ones visit my feeders once or twice. (Maybe is was a slow day for bugs?) Good luck finding out what you have. The visitors in our gardens enrich them so much! Marcia

let's move this on outta here, shall we?

Tally I'll bet you are right about the migration. Perhaps all the drought sent them down early. I've seen more different birds recently, have not seen a goldfinch but know that I am seeing tufted titmouse, wrens,and some finches that pop in and away pretty fast...as if they aren't accustomed to my well stocked feeders aka fast food for my friends. I'll keep an eye open for yellow. c

Thanks! I was hoping it was something like a prothonotary warbler.....but a scarlet tanager isn't bad! I do see a couple of the adult scarlet tanager males in early spring. They are surely beautiful. Thanks for your help.