Well, it looks like we hit the avian equilivent of the winter solstice about a week ago.
At that time, we had the grand total of two (2) confirmed SONG SPARROWS and one (1) confirmed JUNCO on the island.
So it seems that the sparrows managed to beat the odds and survive through the winter. Most years they don't make it.
Over the past week about six (6) Juncos and an additional few sparrows have arrived.
Over the past week about six (6) Juncos and an additional few sparrows have arrived.
Present island population is seven or so Juncos and about eight (8) Song Sparrows .
Things are starting to move.
For a few days, RAZORBILLS have been increasingly evident near the island and starting yesterday, lots of small flocks have been appearing.
Things are starting to move.
For a few days, RAZORBILLS have been increasingly evident near the island and starting yesterday, lots of small flocks have been appearing.
No COMMON MURRES or PUFFINS among them. I'd expect Murres to start appearing as early as next week.
Puffins usually wait until the last days, just before coming ashore with the mass landings.
Today, I saw several thousand Razorbills within a mile or so of the island.
Today, I saw several thousand Razorbills within a mile or so of the island.
This evening several hundred Razorbills did a staging over-flight which is a precursor to coming ashore.
Albeit any landing this early would likely be only Razorbills, it won't last and numbers would be small.
Early landings have occurred a couple other years since I started here in '96 but each time everyone left within a day or two.
They didn't return and stay for the season for up to 3 weeks.
HARLEQUIN DUCKS are still running about fifty (50) strong but our other winter resident species, PURPLE SANDPIPER, has had a very low year, easily the lowest I've seen in nineteen years. Today, Wednesday, I could only find Seven (7) Purples on the whole island. There should be a few dozen at least and a couple hundred in good years.
EAGLES are a winter constant with (weather permitting) one(1) to three (3) seen most every day.
Our other winter raptor, PERIGRINE FALCON, is less frequent but generally shows up a time or two each week.
A couple of RAVENS are semi-resident as in years past.
HARLEQUIN DUCKS are still running about fifty (50) strong but our other winter resident species, PURPLE SANDPIPER, has had a very low year, easily the lowest I've seen in nineteen years. Today, Wednesday, I could only find Seven (7) Purples on the whole island. There should be a few dozen at least and a couple hundred in good years.
EAGLES are a winter constant with (weather permitting) one(1) to three (3) seen most every day.
Our other winter raptor, PERIGRINE FALCON, is less frequent but generally shows up a time or two each week.
A couple of RAVENS are semi-resident as in years past.
Recently they have had company on a few occasions but the new-comers didn't seem too welcome.
Winter gulls are transient but the HERRING & GR.BLACK BACKED GULLS are looking more settled and some are definately showing signs of pairing.
Some ICELAND & GLAUCOUS GULLS and BLK. LEGGED KITTIWAKES are still around the island, as are a few GREAT CORMORANTS, COMMON LOONS, COMMON EIDERS & RED BREASTED MERGANSERS.
GRAY SEALS have made their seasonal migration and upwards of a hundred (~100) were sunning on Gull Rock today, as well as a large number visible on North Rock.
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