Pine Warblers are supposed to be very rare in Sask. But I don't seem to be able to find any other candidate. Taken in thick fog, thus the strange IQ. second pic at a somewhat different angle, hoping that will help the ID.
Thanks in advance!
Thomas
#2. I saw some yellow bird whizzing around the same time, but he never sat down where I could take a good look. Taken at the edge of a slough on a branch hanging over the water.
Thomas- This is a flycatcher (note heavy-set appearance, thickish bill, drab olive colouration) but species ID of this group is difficult. I would look at the Empidonax group and look at the ones that have the correct range. I assume the image was made in or near Gronlid? If so this would likely eliminate Willow Flycatcher as its range does not extend that far north. Other options are Yellow-belled, Alder and Least but adults of these have distinct, whitish wing-bars whereas yours has dull, buff ones. This suggests the bird is a juvenile. The bird has a complete eye-ring but is it thick enough to be a Least?
Final thought- the wet habitat you found the bird is suggests Alder Flycatcher.
I agree -it's definitely an Empidonax flycatcher, and given the location and habitat, and the rather minimal eye ring, Alder is the most likely. However, Willow looks pretty identical, and at least here in Nova Scotia they are being seen/ heard more frequently, so perhaps hey are extending their range northwards.
According to the Sask bird atlas, Willow Flycatchers don't occur around here, so I will follow your lead and title them "Alder", since there is a ton of alder bush around the slough.
Cheers