September 4th & 5th – Two Leisurely Days | Haldimand Bird Observatory

Orchard Orioles! -JET

These two days have been just wonderful…..weatherwise at least. Cooler temperatures with light winds and, today, lots of sunshine. If I was a migrant I think I’d be taking my time and enjoying it while I could. And that may be what the birds are doing as, birdwise, it’s been pretty slow. Warblers have been few and far between although we did get our first Blackpoll today – seems somewhat early. But don’t let these slow days fool you – there’s lots of birds/birding to come. Check out this note from Bruce Murphy, head bander at Hilliardton Marsh Banding Station near New Liskeard:

Greetings banders! Thought I would give you an update on our experience at the Hilliardton marsh this fall. All of our data has not been entered into bandit as of yet so I cannot give you hard numbers but we are having a brilliant fall with above average numbers of many species most notably red eyed vireo, tennessee warbler, cape may warbler alder and least flycatcher. We have had many days over 100 at the station and expect a real push to come as soon as winds shift from the north. I have seen a few frustrated posts on facebook about the lack of birds and diversity in the south; I can assure you there is going to be a very robust migration so be prepared. Owl banding begins for us on September 10th and we will update the group on how we are doing. All the best and hopefully you will soon be as busy as we are. Almost forgot we have banded over 150 ruby throated hummingbirds and actually exhausted all of our bands – this is the best august for hummingbirds ever so next year we will be more prepared as we are now letting unbanded birds go . All the best wishes from the northern front . Boreal Bruce [Murphy]