Another warm, nearly calm day on Friday with little bird activity other than raptors.
At least 12 PEREGRINES through here today. Had 7 in sight at one time, including two sitting over my head on the lighthouse.
Also, 2 EAGLES (likely local regulars), 4 MERLINS, 5 HARRIERS, 2 BROAD WINGED HAWKS and 4 OSPREY.
As you may well assume, with almost continuos predator activity, other species largely kept to cover.I did manage to find 6 to 8 RED BREASTED NUTHATCHES and a couple suspected LEAST FLYCATCHERS.
I also found a cooperative GOLDEN PLOVER which I suspected to be the same one seen over several days. However, that was put somewhat into doubt through the evening and night.
I heard, 3 or 4 times, after dark, a call like screeching metal, seeming to originate overhead. About 4 AM I located a Golden Plover on the lawn, near the house. A short time later I flushed two GPs from the lawn and they made the same call. Mystery solved!
Aquatic birds, other than gulls, has been generally light: some local movement of DOUBLE CRESTED CORMORANTS; a few apparently resident EIDERS; an occasional COMMON LOON; scattered GANNETS.
Top birds of the day: a single, early PURPLE SANDPIPER and two equally early HARLEQUINS.
A few Monarch butterflies are still around, as well as some Red Admirals, Cabbage Whites, American Ladys. Also seen: a couple of probable Pink Edged Sulphurs, 3 Question Marks and 2 Commas.
The island hosts perhaps 8 acres of PURPLE ASTER that is the main food source for migrating butterflies and hummingbirds.
Of course it blooms over a period of several weeks but although it started blooming towards the end of August and peaked last week, there are still good fresh patches scattered over the island.
At least 12 PEREGRINES through here today. Had 7 in sight at one time, including two sitting over my head on the lighthouse.
Also, 2 EAGLES (likely local regulars), 4 MERLINS, 5 HARRIERS, 2 BROAD WINGED HAWKS and 4 OSPREY.
As you may well assume, with almost continuos predator activity, other species largely kept to cover.I did manage to find 6 to 8 RED BREASTED NUTHATCHES and a couple suspected LEAST FLYCATCHERS.
I also found a cooperative GOLDEN PLOVER which I suspected to be the same one seen over several days. However, that was put somewhat into doubt through the evening and night.
I heard, 3 or 4 times, after dark, a call like screeching metal, seeming to originate overhead. About 4 AM I located a Golden Plover on the lawn, near the house. A short time later I flushed two GPs from the lawn and they made the same call. Mystery solved!
Aquatic birds, other than gulls, has been generally light: some local movement of DOUBLE CRESTED CORMORANTS; a few apparently resident EIDERS; an occasional COMMON LOON; scattered GANNETS.
Top birds of the day: a single, early PURPLE SANDPIPER and two equally early HARLEQUINS.
A few Monarch butterflies are still around, as well as some Red Admirals, Cabbage Whites, American Ladys. Also seen: a couple of probable Pink Edged Sulphurs, 3 Question Marks and 2 Commas.
The island hosts perhaps 8 acres of PURPLE ASTER that is the main food source for migrating butterflies and hummingbirds.
Of course it blooms over a period of several weeks but although it started blooming towards the end of August and peaked last week, there are still good fresh patches scattered over the island.
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