“Down here” in far southern Canada the migration is almost done – it’s kind of sad in a way but, in truth, I’m ready for a rest. And just as I was thinking about the end my compatriot Jeff MacLeod sends me this email:

Take a look at this incredible ebird checklist:

https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46116491

Jeff

This is the kind of day that would knock your socks off and is a reminder that, while we are wrapping up here, the migration is still in full swing to the north of us. The above movement was at Tadoussac which is at the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord on the north shore of the St. Lawrence. Many years ago in early June, after kayaking the fjord, I spent an afternoon on the sand dunes looking out over the river. I was amazed at the massive diurnal migration that was taking place – all warblers from what I could see. It was a clear sunny day and the wind was slightly in front of them. They came in moderately low and as soon as they reached the shrubs/woods dived down into them. Pretty chancy flying over such a large expanse of water in the daytime. Usually small migrants fly at night so I was interested in the possible reasons that would drive them on through the day and with a head wind. The urgency to get to where they had to get to was all I could come up with.

I wonder if the birds in the above sighting were held up by the recent inclement weather in the mid-eastern States and were trying to make up time with a supporting wind…..

Banded 19:
1 Eastern Wood Pewee
1Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
1 Traill’s Flycatcher
1 Wood Thrush
1 American Robin
1 Gray Catbird
2 Cedar Waxings
1 Yellow Warbler
1 Magnolia Warbler
1 Northern Cardinal
1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak
1 Indigo Bunting
6 American Goldfinches

ET’s: 51 spp.
Rick