This is an interesting time for the migration: most of the long-distance migrants have left while most of the shorter-distance migrants are just starting to move through. So you can get an intriguing mix: Blackpoll Warblers, which fly over the open Atlantic to South America in the same net as a White-throated Sparrow, which is heading for the mid-Atlantic States (while some might even spend the Winter here). Or….a Gray-cheeked Thrush (South America) together with a Common Yellowthroat (Florida).

The variety can give, on “good” days, a substantial count. Yesterday we had a surfeit of volunteer teenagers. What to do….hmmmm…..? The Great Morning Census Competition! The group was broken down into two teams (of three): the Triple A’s vs the A Pluses (their names). Now Ethan set the Fall census record of 39 on Saturday. Both teams were given the task of bettering it. One group went the regular way, the other did it backwards. Neither group broke the record but combined….they set a new mark of 43! and the older banders/birders were treated to 90 minutes of relative peace and quiet. So everyone was a winner.

There must have been a sizeable exodus during the night of the 23rd as we went from a count of 58 species on the 23rd to just 38 today!

September 23rd; Banded 19:
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Blue Jay
1 Brown Creeper
1 Gray-cheeked Thrush
1 Gray Catbird
1 Philadelphia Vireo
2 Nashville Warblers
1 Magnolia Warbler
2 Bay-breasted Warblers
3 Blackpoll Warblers
2 Common Yellowthroats
2 Wilson’s Warblers
1 Indigo Bunting

ET’s: 58 spp.

September 24th; Banded 28:

1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
2 Downy Woodpeckers
4 Black-capped Chickadees

1 White-breasted Nuthatch
1 House Wren
1 American Robin
1 Blue-headed Vireo
3 Philadelphia Vireos
1 Nashville Warbler
1 Bay-breasted Warbler
2 Common Yellowthroats

2 Wilson’s Warblers
1 Swamp Sparrow
4 White-throated Sparrows
3 American Goldfinches

ET’s: 38 spp.

Some Pictures from the past few days:

Rick