I won't say "huge" but will settle for "big" when describing the flight coming in off the Gulf of Maine this dawn. This phenomenon is usually delayed here, doesn't usually become obvious until 7:30 or 8:00 A.M. This morning, large flocks of high-flying robins began appearing a little before 7:00. Because I was in a rush to get to the northern tip of the peninsula, I let most birds overhead go as "passerines". But I did take note of several small flocks of Purple Finches and one flock of 18 likely comprised of Rusty Blackbirds. Also large numbers of E Bluebirds, and more than 200 Myrtle Warblers. I stayed on the lee-side as much as possible on the hike out to the tip.
Other highlights:
1st No. Shrike of the season, a juvie seen on three diff perches
6 woodpeckers incl 2 Red-bellied WPs and perhaps the last of the YBSapsuckers
Juncoes everywhere in the woods; 100s
1 Phoebe; 1 BHVireo
Both Kinglets numerous
Fewer Hermit thrushes than expected.. fewer than 20
Raptors incl. 2 Bald Eagles, 7 Sharpies, and a late (?) Broadwinged Hawk (imm)
(three of the Sharpies were crossing the small pond within yards of each other.)
A Barred Owl posed for me, while crows were busy 200 yards away with something else.
Except for 1 Fox Sparrow and 2 WT Sparrows, there were no other sparrows.
Several Brown Creepers, incl three in close proximity to each other.
RBNuthatches...a moderate number.
And a very enticing swallow, one of the bright and colorful ones, seen very briefly through the trees. Waited for 10 minutes hoping for a return, but it didn't.
One non-bird note; There are too many deer on Hermit I. I photo'd three spike bucks standing together, two of which then locked antlers and jousted. My count for the morning was 28!
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