Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory

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Palm Warbler

Palm Warbler Photo© Bruce Parker.

WEEKLY OBSERVATION REPORT

FALL 2011

October 21st - October 27th

Oct 21st – 27th

COMMON LOONS continue to move and peaked at 25 on the 22nd, RED-NECKED GREBES put in an appearance with 15 seen on the 22nd and 6 the next day. DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS have started to move and only 500 to a 1000 can be seen offshore now. TURKEY VULTURES numbered 350 on the 22nd with up to 150 a day being seen during the rest of the week. 65 BRANT flew past on the 22nd. Offshore the numbers of ducks is increasing with up to 3000 GREATER SCAUP and 500 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS being present. The 22nd saw the first LONG-TAILED DUCKS of the fall with 6 present, 25 was the peak on the 26th, BUFFLEHEAD returned on the 23rd and 150 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS were seen on the 23rd. BALD EAGLES were seen most days, A few raptors were moving on the 22nd with notables of 40 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 18 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS, 3 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 85 RED-TAILED HAWKS and 3 GOLDEN EAGLES going over. Another GOLDEN EAGLE was seen the next day as well. SPOTTED SANDPIPERS were seen on the beach on the 22nd and the 27th, the latter date had 2 birds present. On the 22nd an AMERICAN WOODCOCK was seen to fly in off the lake at an altitude of only a couple of feet. A GREAT-HORNED OWL was heard on the 25th and the first BARRED OWL of the fall appeared on the 23rd with 2 birds present on the 25th along with the first LONG-EARED OWL of the season. NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS were moving most of the week with 110 noted on the 22nd and 70, 18 and 50 noted on the following days. Occasional YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS can be seen and a FLICKER INTERGRADE was seen on the 24th. Up to 12 EASTERN PHOEBE’S have been seen in a day and the first NORTHERN SHRIKE of the fall, 2 of them actually, arrived on the 23rd. BLUE-HEADED VIREOS numbered 15 on the 21st and 22nd but have decreased to 2-5 a day since. BLUE JAYS continue to trickle through and a small passage of AMERICAN CROWS has been noted with a peak of 23 on the 25th with 10 to 15 a day on most other days. A family group of 7 COMMON RAVENS was seen on the 24th. BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE numbers have remained slightly higher at around 15 a day and WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES have been more slightly numerous with up to four a day being seen. BROWN CREEPERS have increased with 15-25 a day being seen except for the 23rd when 50 were present. GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS peaked at 200 on the 23rd and 120 on the 21st with 75 or less being seen on all other dates, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS numbered up to 90 in the early part of the period but have dropped to less than 20 a day since. 6 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were present on the 23rd with two being seen the next day. HERMIT THRUSHES peaked at 35 on the 23rd and AMERICAN ROBINS have started moving with peaks of 160 on the 23rd and 100 on the 25th. 6 AMERICAN PIPITS flew over on the 23rd and 2 were on the beach on the 25th. CEDAR WAXWINGS are increasing and the peak was 150 on the 23rd.Only five species of warbler were seen this week but they included late NASHVILLE WARBLERS on the 22nd and 23rd, a very late NORTHERN PARULA was banded on the 21st, the last BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was seen on the 23rd, MYRTLE WARBLERS have decreased and peaked at just 25 on the 21st. The only other warbler was a late AMERICAN REDSTART that was banded on the 24th. A FIELD SPARROW was bended on the 21st and 1-2 FOX SPARROWS have been seen most days. The first and probably only LINCOLN’S SPARROW of the fall was one banded on the latest ever date for here of the 22nd. WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS have decreased from 20 to just a handful but SLATE-COLOURED JUNCO’S have been increasing with up to 60 most days and a peak of 110 on the 26th. Icterids continue to move in good numbers especially RUSTY BLACKBIRDS with four dates having over a hundred counted including the peak count of 800 on the 22nd. 15 PINE SISKINS were seen on the 25th.

Oct 14th – 20th

COMMON LOONS have started to move with up to 6 a day being seen. TURKEY VULTURES continue to move with the peak of 100 seen on the 19th. The 19th also saw a flock of 20 BRANT go past. Duck numbers offshore are similar to last week except that 300 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were counted on the 19th. A BALD EAGLE was seen on the 18th and 2 GOLDEN EAGLES were noted together on the 20th. Small numbers of SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS continue to fly over with 25 on the 20th being the peak, 4 COOPERS HAWKS were counted on the 16th and NORTHERN GOSHAWKS were seen twice this week. A late BROAD-WINGED HAWK was seen on the 16th. The 20th saw two MERLINS trapped bringing to three the total banded for the fall. The windy and wet weather has kept us from banding NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS on most nights but 20 were banded on the 17th/18th and 27 were banded the following night. Up to three BELTED KINGFISHERS have been seen in the harbour. EASTERN PHOEBE’S are increasing with a peak of 6 seen on two dates. BLUE-HEADED VIREOS continue to move with 10 to 20 seen a day, the 18th though saw 45 present, a late PHILADELPHIA VIREO was trapped on the 18th. A single TREE SWALLOW was found on the 19th. The bulk of the birds in the bushes these days are CREEPERS, KINGLETS and HERMIT THRUSHES, the 18th saw 50 BROWN CREEPERS present with up to 20 being seen on other days. The 18th also saw 75 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS and 110 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS present with the 20th having 60 and 75 present respectively. A GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH was banded on the 17th and was the first of that ilk for nearly two weeks. HERMIT THRUSHES have numbered 20-25 on most days and a few AMERICAN ROBINS have started to migrate with up to 15 a day going over. Three AMERICAN PIPITS were seen on the 17th and 20th. Just 7 species of warbler were seen this week. 4 NASHVILLE WARBLERS were seen on the 14th and 2 more were seen on the 18th, BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS have dropped to just 1 or 2 a day and MYRTLE WARBLERS peaked at 100 on the 18th. A late BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER was banded on the 20th and a PINE WARBLER was caught on the 18th. WESTERN PALM WARBLERS were seen on the 16th and 18th and BLACKPOLL WARBLERS were still present on the 17th. A few CHIPPING SPARROWS are moving and a VESPER SPARROW and a SAVANNAH SPARROW were seen on the 20th. The first FOX SPARROW of the fall was banded on the 14th with another seen on the 20th. Apart from 40 on the 18th, up to 15 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS a day are being found along with up to 6 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS. SLATE-COLOURED JUNCO’S remain thin on the ground with a peak of just 25 on the 19th and 20th. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS have started moving and 120 were seen on the 15th. RUSTY BLACKBIRDS continue to move in big numbers with peaks of 227 on the 16th, 410 on the 19th and 380 on the 20th.A PURPLE FINCH on the 18th is the first of these to be seen this month.

Oct 7th – 13th

Up to 5000 Double-crested Cormorants can still be seen offshore, in the harbour a Great-blue Heron has been seen regularly and a Green Heron was found on the 7th. 2 Mute Swans were seen offshore on the 10th and 2 Wood Ducks were in the harbour on the 11th. Greater Scaup peaked at 150 on the 7th and 140 White-winged Scoters were seen on the 14th. Up to 45 Red-breasted Mergansers have been hanging around the harbour entrance all week. Bald Eagles continue to be seen daily and a Northern Goshawk was banded on the 12th. Sharp-shinned Hawk numbers have been lower this week peaking at just 15 on the 8th. 5 Sanderlings on the 7th were the only shorebirds seen this week. A Great-horned Owl was seen on a couple of dates and Northern Saw-whet Owls peaked at 110 on the 7th with 10 to 40 being seen most other nights. 194 were banded during the week. Eastern Phoebe numbers are starting to increase with up to 6 a day being seen now. Blue-headed Vireo numbers have dropped off and peaked at 10 on the 8th, a single Red-eyed Vireo has been recorded each day and Blue Jay numbers have decreased to 20 – 60 a day. A Common Raven was seen twice during the week. A Red-breasted Nuthatch was seen on the 13th and a White-breasted has been seen around the buildings all week. Brown Creepers have been quiet with just 10 – 20 a day being recorded, a House Wren was seen on the 8th and up to 7 Winter Wrens are being seen. Golden-crowned Kinglets numbered 190 on the 9th and 120 the next day with Ruby-crowned Kinglets peaking at 80 on the 9th. Single Swainson’s Thrushes were seen on the 8th and 11th, Hermit Thrushes peaked at just 22 on the 10th. Only one Grey Catbird was seen this week, on the 12th and probably signifies the end of that species for this fall. The number of Warbler species seen this week was 10. A single Tennessee Warbler was found on the 8th as was the only Nashville Warbler of the week. An Orange-crowned Warbler was seen on the 13th and the only Magnolia Warbler was found on the 8th. Up to 8 Black-throated Blue Warblers have been seen in a day and Myrtle Warblers peaked at 45 on the 8th. A single Black-throated Green Warbler on the 11th was the only bird of that species seen, Blackpoll Warblers have almost finished with 2 on the 8th and a single bird on the 10th. A few Eastern Towhees are still being seen and three were found on the 11th. Song Sparrows have increased as a few migrants start to reappear and 8 were found on the 10th, single Swamp Sparrows were noted on four dates. White-throated Sparrows are slowing down and peaked at 30 on the 8th with White-crowned Sparrows peaking at 8 on the 9th and 13th. Slate-coloured Junco’s numbered 40 on the 11th but less than 20 was more normal. Rusty Blackbirds continue to move in small numbers and 12 on the 12th was the peak. 20 Pine Siskin’s on the 7th was the only record for them all week.

Sept 30th – Oct 6th

TURKEY VULTURES started moving in earnest this week with 500 counted on the 3rd and 600 on the 6th. An AMERICAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL was seen in the harbour on the 4th and a REDHEAD was seen among the MALLARDS there on that same day. GREATER SCAUP arrived on the 30th when at least 60 were seen offshore, numbers have since increased to at least 300. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS are also being seen offshore and peaked at 80 on the 5th. Its been a good week for raptors, a late OSPREY was seen on the 6th and the 3rd saw at least 33 BALD EAGLES going over, most of them in a one-hour period. 350 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS flew over on the 3rd with over a hundred seen on two other dates. 10 Northern Goshawks were noted on the 3rd and RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS were seen on the 4th and 5th, a single GOLDEN EAGLE was seen on the 3rd and two were noted on the 6th, a PEREGRINE FALCON flew over on the 5th. A few SANDERLING can still be found occasionally on the beach and a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER was flushed on the 3rd. A YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO was banded on the 3rd and is the first one trapped in the fall for four years. NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL S are finally increasing and 88 were banded on the 5th alone. A total of 146 were banded during the week, daily updates on the owl banding can be found on our website (www.peptbo.ca). YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS are increasing and 10 were seen on the 3rd. BLUE-HEADED VIREOS numbered 25 on the 3rd and up to 15 on other days. A PHILADELPHIA VIREO was banded on the 3rd. The good migrating conditions on the 3rd were enjoyed by the BLUE JAYS, over 12,000 of them flew over on that day alone. The 2nd saw 15 TREE SWALLOWS go past in one flock and the 4th had at least 110 go over. BROWN CREEPERS are increasing and up to 20 a day are being recorded, KINGLETS are increasing slowly and both species peaked at 75 on the 5th. The first small arrival of HERMIT THRUSHES took place on the 6th and 16 were banded. The 125 EUROPEAN STARLINGS seen on the 3rd were about 100 more than is normally present. 12 AMERICAN PIPITS were seen on the 1st. Warbler variety is still up and 19 species were noted during the week. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS were seen on the 2nd to 4th, 8 NORTHERN PARULAS were seen on the 3rd and the 30th saw 30 MAGNOLIAS present. MYRTLE WARBLERS have started to move and peaked at 900 on the 3rd, a PINE WARBLER was seen on the 3rd as were 120 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS. A BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER on the 30th may be the last of those for the year. EASTERN TOWHEE’S have increased and up to 5 a day are being seen. CHIPPING SPARROWS have returned, or at least are migrating through again and 2 to 3 a day are now present. WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS have increased and peaked at 80 on the 3rd, meanwhile up to 10 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS are being seen and SLATE-COLOURED JUNCO’S are becoming commoner and peaked at 45 on the 6th. RUSTY BLACKBIRDS have been moving all week with 120 on the 3rd being the best day for them. It must be near winter, PINE SISKINS have been moving in reasonable numbers and up to 120 are being seen in a day. Finally, 2 SNOW GEESE flew low over the area on the 1st.

Sept 23rd – 29th

A Green Heron can still be found in the harbour area most days, Turkey Vulture numbers are picking up and up to 80 are being seen daily with some roosting in the woods above the nets. A few small flocks of Canada Geese have been seen going over with 180 on the 26th being the peak. Up to 8 Mute Swans have been seen near the offshore islands and a Wood Duck was seen in the harbour on the 25th, as was a Green-winged Teal. Mallards numbered 120 on the 25th but have decreased since then. White-winged Scoters are increasing and 15 were counted on the 29th.
Bald Eagles have been seen on four days this week with up to 2 in a day being seen. 20 Northern Harriers were counted going over on the 25th, as was a Northern Goshawk. Sharp-shinned Hawks increased to 225 on the 26th and 9 Coopers Hawks were seen that day as well. A Northern Goshawk was seen on the 25th and a Broad-winged Hawk was banded on the 26th, a few Red-tailed Hawks have started moving and 12 were seen on the 25th with 10 seen the next day. Up to four Merlins have been present all week and 2 Peregrine Falcons were noted on the 28th. On the 25th 3 Black-bellied Plovers, a greater Yellowlegs and 45 Sanderling were observed.
The first Northern Saw-whet Owl of the fall was banded on the 27th and two more were banded the following night. Please visit our website to see more details of the owling and the net opening times (www.peptbo.ca).
Black-billed Cuckoos were seen on the 24th and 29th. A Ruby-throated Hummingbird was seen briefly on the 25th, single Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were seen on several days and a resurgence in the movement of Yellow-shafted Flickers took place with up to 15 in a day being seen. An Eastern Wood Pewee was seen by the KFN on the 25th and the last of the Yellow-bellied Flycatchers are trickling through, Eastern Phoebe’s on the other hand are starting to move now and have been seen around the observatory most of the week. Blue-headed Vireos numbered 12 on the 24th with 6-7 being seen most other days. Philadelphia Vireo’s continue to trickle along and Red-eyed Vireos peaked at 15 on the 24th. Blue Jay migration has started in earnest and three days this week had 1000 or more with 1500 on the 28th being the largest count. An Eastern Tufted Titmouse was seen near the end of the harbour on the 25th but could not be refound later. Brown Creepers are increasing but not in big numbers yet, both species of Kinglet are now moving with up to 20 a day of each being seen.
A late Veery was trapped on the 27th and a Wood Thrush was seen on the 25th otherwise thrush movement has been slow. 20 species of warbler were seen during the week but some of them might not be seen again till next spring like the late Black and White Warbler on the 24th or the late Yellow Warbler on the 24th or the late Blackburnian Warbler on the 26th. An Orange-crowned Warbler on the 24th was new for the fall and a second one was seen the next day. At least 10 Northern Parula’s were present over the 23rd-25th, the 24th also saw 12 Nashville Warblers, 40 Magnolia Warblers, 30 Black-throated Blue Warblers, 8 Bay-breasted Warblers and 20 Black-throated Green Warblers. On the 29th, at least 75 Blackpoll Warblers present. Most other warblers during the week have been present in low numbers.
Up to 25 White-throated Sparrows have been seen each day and the first two White-crowned Sparrows of the fall were observed on the 25th. The first Slate-coloured Junco was banded on the 23rd and up to 10 were around by the end of the week. The 26th saw a flock of 25 Rusty Blackbirds go over and the first Purple Finch for September was found on the 25th. American Goldfinches continue to move through and numbers peaked at 350 on the 24th with up to a 100 being seen most days.

Sept 16th – 22nd

At least 2 GREEN HERONS have been frequenting the western end of the harbour this week. 6 MUTE SWANS were seen offshore on the 19th, on the 16th four GREEN-WINGED TEALS were seen and the first WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS of the fall were seen that day as well. The 18th saw 2 COMMON MERGANSERS fly over the area. Raptors have been fairly quiet this week but SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS continue to go over and 60 were noted on the 20th. No shorebirds were seen during the week. The two BELTED KINGFISHERS continue to haunt the harbour. YELLOW-SHAFTED FLICKERS have increased and 12 on the 16th was the peak count for the week. The first YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER of the fall was banded on the 22nd. Four species of flycatcher were seen during the week with YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER being the commonest. BLUE-HEADED VIREOS have increased and up to 20 a day are being seen, a WARBLING VIREO was banded on the 16th and 10 PHILADELPHIA VIREOS were also seen that day. RED-EYED VIREOS continue to move and peaked at 25 on the 17th. BLUE JAY migration continues at a slow pace with a peak count of 400 on the 21st. Occasional RED and WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES are being seen as are a few BROWN CREEPERS. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS are slow to start moving and peaked at 7 on the 16th and 17th, GOLDEN-CROWNED’S have yet to be seen this fall. GREY-CHEEKED and SWAINSON’S THRUSHES are trickling through and a WOOD THRUSH was banded on the 18th. 60 to a 100 CEDAR WAXWINGS are being seen regularly. 20 species of warbler were seen during the week. Highlights for warblers, were 3 NORTHERN PARULA’S on the 17th, 40 MAGNOLIA WARBLERS on the 16th, a CAPE MAY WARBLER on the 19th, up to 25 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS a day all week, 35 AMERICAN REDSTARTS on the 16th, a CANADA WARBLER has been seen twice during the week and at least 180 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS were present in the morning in the banding area with 74 being trapped. WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS have increased a bit and up to 12 a day are being recorded; as yet, no JUNCO’S have been seen. AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES have started moving and up to 130 a day are going over. Bird of the week was the second CONNECTICUT WARBLER of the fall that was trapped on the 20th, it was a nice adult male.

Sept 9th – 15th

Occasional COMMON LOONS are now being seen flying over, a GREAT BLUE HERON has been seen a few times in the harbour and was joined this week by GREEN HERON on the 11th, 13th and 14th. TURKEY VULTURES are increasing and peaked at 35 on the 15th. In the harbour the 20-30 MALLARDS were joined by others on the 11th when 100 were noted, CANADA GEESE also increased this week with 100 noted on the 14th. BALD EAGLES have been seen almost daily and a NORTHERN HARRIER has been floating about the point all week. SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS have increased to up to 35 daily and a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK flew over with a few BROAD-WINGED HAWKS on the 11th. MERLINS continue to harass the migrants over the area. 2 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS flew over on the 13th and the first KILLDEER of the fall was on the beach on the 11th. Up to 11 SANDERLINGS were on the beach during the first half of the week but have now gone. 1-3 RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS are still being seen most days and 2 BELTED KINGFISHERS are frequenting the harbour. YELLOW-SHAFTED FLICKERS have started moving and up to 8 a day are being seen. YELLOW-BELLIED, LEAST and TRAILL’S FLYCATCHERS are still to be found in low numbers and a late EASTERN KINGBIRD was seen on the 15th. BLUE-HEADED VIREOS are becoming more common and the occasional WARBLING and PHILADELPHIA VIREO are still being observed. RED-EYED VIREO’S numbered 23 on the 11th. BLUE JAYS have started migrating and up to 250 a day have been seen since the 13th. BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE’S are increasing with up to 15 a day being noted. A RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH was seen on the 12th and the first BROWN CREEPERS of the fall arrived on the 14th, the same day as the first WINTER WRENS (6) arrived. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS arrived on the 11th when at least 8 were present. Thrushes also started moving this week with high counts on the 14th of 25 GREY-CHEEKED and 20 SWAINSON’S. A HERMIT THRUSH was seen on the 10th and a WOOD THRUSH was seen near the lighthouse on the 14th. 25 species of warbler were seen during the week. A GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER that was trapped on the 12th is only the 3rd ever banded in the fall. NASHVILLE WARBLERS peaked at 25on the 9th and 1-2 NORTHERN PARULA’S are being seen most days.70 MAGNOLIA WARBLERS were recorded on three dates and a CAPE MAY WARBLER was seen on the 10th. BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS numbered 35 on the 9th and BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS have picked up a bit with a peak of 15 also on the 9th. A PINE WARBLER on the 10th was new for the fall. BLACKPOLL WARBLERS have increased and 100 were noted on the 10th with 40 or so being seen on most other days. AMERICAN REDSTARTS numbered 40 on the 10th with up to 20 on all other dates. A late MOURNING WARBLER was trapped on the 12th and WILSON’S WARBLERS have been obvious this week with a peak of 22 on the 11th. CANADA WARBLERS continue their good run with three banded during the week. 1-2 SCARLET TANAGERS are being seen most days and the first WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS of the fall were seen on the 14th.An INDIGO BUNTING was trapped on the 9th and it looks as though the BOBOLINKS have finished for the fall.2 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS flew over on the 10th, as did the first RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD of the fall. AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES are becoming commoner with up to 120 a day being seen. Bird of the week was a CONNECTICUT WARBLER that was banded on the 11th, only the 5th ever banded in the fall.

Sept 2nd - 8th

AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS increased to 3 on the 2nd and at least 6 flightless young MALLARDS are still present in the harbour. 2 BALD EAGLES were seen on the 5th and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS are now being seen daily. A COOPERS HAWK was seen on the 7th and BROAD-WINGED HAWKS were noted on the 5th and 6th. Six species of shorebird were seen during the week including 15 RUDDY TURNSTONES on the 3rd and up to 23 SANDERLINGS on most days. Recently fledged MOURNING DOVES are still appearing around the point and a CHIMNEY SWIFT put in an appearance on the 5th. 1-2 RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS are still being seen daily but 6 were present on the 6th. 5 EASTERN WOOD PEWEES were seen on the 5th and an EASTERN TOWHEE on the 8th was new for the fall. EASTERN KINGBIRDS reappeared on the 3rd to 5th with up to 6 present. A PHILADELPHIA VIREO was banded on the 6th with 18 RED-EYED VIREOS being present that same day. BLUE JAYS increased to 18 on the 7th. A few single VEERY’S, SWAINSON’S THRUSHES and GREY-CHEEKED THRUSHES were seen during the week. 20 Warbler species were observed during the week with 6th being the best day with 5th and 6th having 16 and 15 species recorded. NORTHERN PARULA’S were seen on the 3rd and 5th, NASHVILLE’S peaked at 20 on the 6th with MAGNOLIA’S reaching 20 on the 5th. BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS numbered 10 on both the 3rd and the 6th, a WESTERN PALM WARBLER was banded on the 5th and up to 30 BLACKPOLLS have been seen daily. AMERICAN REDSTARTS numbered 20 on the 6th and 5 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES were seen that day. 1-2 CANADA WARBLERS have been seen most days and brings to 37 the number banded this fall. A SAVANNAH SPARROW was banded on the 2nd and the second INDIGO BUNTING of the fall was caught on the 6th. BOBOLINKS numbered 150 on the 5th with up to 75 a day on most other days. AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES are starting to increase with up to 60 a day now visiting the feeders.

Aug 26th – Sept 1st

An AMERICAN BLACK DUCK joined the MALLARDS in the harbour on the 30th and 3 BLUE-WINGED TEALS were there on the 27th. 30 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS off the lighthouse were the first of them for the fall. A small trickle of up to 8 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS a day have been going through with occasional COOPER’S HAWKS in with them as well. One or two MERLIN’S have been seen around the point with one being banded on the 29th. Shorebird variety has picked up but no big numbers of anything yet. Highlights included - 2 SEMI-PALMATED PLOVERS being seen around the harbour, 5 RUDDY TURNSTONES were present on the beach on the 31st, up to 11 SANDERLINGS have been seen as have up to 8 LEAST SANDPIPERS. 40 BONAPARTE’S GULLS on the 29th were first for the fall. COMMON NIGHTHAWKS continue to trickle through in the evenings with a peak of 20 on the 29th. 3 EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE’S were banded on the 26th, but its been a quiet week for the other flycatcher which have only been present in small numbers. The first BLUE-HEADED VIREO of the fall was banded on the 29th, as was the first PHILADELPHIA VIREO. RED-EYED VIREO’S arrived on the 26th when 5 were seen. The 28th saw windy weather, but it did bring a good movement of swallows with it, 150 PURPLE MARTINS were recorded as were 200 TREE SWALLOWS, 20 NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGS, 450 BANK SWALLOWS, 80 CLIFF SWALLOWS and over 1800 BARN SWALLOWS. The following day smaller numbers of swallows went through and a few were banded, including the first PURPLE MARTIN ever trapped here. The first GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH of the fall was caught on the 31st as was a SWAINSON’S THRUSH. 20 Species of warbler were seen during the week but no large warbler movements occurred. New for the fall were NORTHERN PARULA on the 27th and BLACK-THROATED GREEN and BAY-BREASTED WARBLERS on the 26th. 3 TENNESSEE’S were seen on the 27th and MAGNOLIA numbers increased during the week to a peak of 25 on the 31st. BLACK-THROATED BLUE’S arrived late in the week with a peak of 10 on the 28th, 3 WESTERN PALM WARBLERS were noted on the 31st and BLACKPOLL’S increased to 12 on the 31st. AMERICAN REDSTARTS numbered 10-12 all week with four more CANADA WARBLERS being trapped bringing to 31 the number banded. A SCARLET TANAGER was seen on the 30th, 30 –50 BOBOLINKS were seen daily and the second BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD to be banded this fall was caught on the 29th, this equals our best fall banding total for this species.

Aug 19th –25th

The MALLARD numbers in the harbour are slowly increasing and up to 33 can be found there now. An OSPREY has been fishing in the harbour since the 22nd and single BALD EAGLES were seen on the 20th and 25th, both were immatures. SHARP-SHINNED and COOPER’S HAWKS have been seen regularly while a NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen on the 20th. A MERLIN was present on the 25th. Up to 12 Wild Turkeys have been present most of the week. Shorebird activity has remained similar to last week although SOLITARY SANDPIPERS increased to 15 on the 20th. COMMON NIGHTHAWK numbers were down this week but they normally peak next week. 2 CHIMNEY SWIFTS were seen on the 22nd and 6 were seen the next day. YELLOW-SHAFTED FLICKERS showed an increase with 8 seen on the 23rd. The first EASTERN WOOD PEWEE’S were seen on the 20th. 2 COMMON RAVENS were seen on the 22nd and the only AMERICAN CROW so far for the fall was on the 24th. 33 BANK SWALLOWS were counted on the 22nd and BARN SWALLOWS peaked at 120 on the 23rd. The first VEERY’S (2) and SWAINSON’S THRUSH of the fall were banded on the 23rd and a WOOD THRUSH was caught on the 24th. 18 species of warbler were seen this week with TENNESSEE WARBLERS arriving on the 22nd, NASHVILLE WARBLER on the 24th, 2 CAPE MAY WARBLERS were seen on the 23rd as was a WESTERN PALM WARBLER. A BLACKPOLL was recorded on the 24th and the 22nd had the first WILSON’S WARBLERS of the fall. 1-5 CANADA WARBLERS are still being seen or retrapped daily. Up to 65 BOBOLINKS are being seen in a day and occasional COMMON GRACKLES are going over.

August 14th –18th

The Observatory has now opened for the fall and migration has obviously started but apart from the 16th and 17th it’s been its usual slow start. This first week has been a short week, with observations only starting on the Sunday. DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT numbers seem to be up this fall with up to 6000 being seen offshore. A GREAT BLUE HERON has occasionally been seen flying over the area and a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK was seen on the 16th, on the mudflats at the western end of the harbour have been LESSER and GREATER YELLOWLEGS and up to 5 SOLITARY SANDPIPERS, a SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER and a LEAST SANDPIPER. A couple of SPOTTED SANDPIPERS round out the shorebirds seen in the area. The local BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO has been calling most days; COMMON NIGHTHAWKS have started to move with four seen on the 16th and a peak count for the week of 45 were seen on the 17th. A few flycatchers are being seen or caught – notably TRAILL’S, YELLOWBELLIED and LEAST with several (up to a dozen) local EASTERN KINGBIRDS sitting around. A WARBLING VIREO was trapped on the 15th. BARN SWALLOWS are being seen in good numbers with up to 45 a day being seen. Two late broods of CLIFF SWALLOWS are still being fed in their nests, one at the Obs and one on the lighthouse, normally they have gone by the time we open for the fall. Up to a dozen GREY CATBIRDS are being seen daily and CEDAR WAXWINGS are being seen in good numbers with up to a 100 being recorded daily. 13 species of warbler were seen this week although mostly in small numbers. The 16th had 12 species seen and the 17th had 10 species seen. Two early MYRTLE WARBLERS were present on the 17th, the 16th saw 20 YELLOW WARBLERS present along with 3 BLACKBURNIAN’S and 7 CHESTNUT-SIDED. 21 CANADA WARBLERS were banded on the 16th, just one bird short of last years whole record breaking fall banding total. 10-12 were seen in the following few days. An INDIGO BUNTING that was trapped on the 17th was the first handled in the fall since 2007. Up to 100 BOBOLINKS a day are being recorded and an ORCHARD ORIOLE was banded on the 15th and is only the second ever fall banding record (the first was last year) and was probably raised locally. 1-2 PURPLE FINCHES are visiting the feeders.