Bird migration continues as the non-event of the year.
Warblers are still a surprise, if seen at all. I had a high count of 19 on Wednesday ........... that's total warblers, not the number of species.
Included in the count were 3 (possibly 4) male CANADA WARBLERS; 1 YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER; 2 female BLACKBURIAN WARBLERS; 2 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS; 2 BLACK & WHITE WARBLERS; 4 COMMON YELLOWTHROAT; 1 CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER; 3 OVENBIRDS.
Ovenbirds are a fun species, almost a nuisance at times. One spent most of Wednesday afternoon strutting around the lawn in pursuit of insects, oblivious to me following just a couple yards away.
Another of my favorite species, CATBIRD, is currently represented by 5 or 6 individuals. They have taken over the jelly eating duty from the departed BALTIMORE ORIOLES, although they share the Grapefruit with a couple of lingering WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS.
Several GOLDFINCHES dropped in during the rain on Sunday, the 17th and shared white millet with the SAVANNAH SPARROWS. Their visit was brief but they've been replaced by a couple rather tame male RED-WING BLACKBIRDS.
Also during Sunday's rain were some twenty or so all male BOBOLINKS which stayed only the single day.
The most notable change in recent days has been the arrival of at least 2 VEERY, 2 or 3 HERMIT THRUSHES and at least 1 SWAINSON'S THRUSH. That's a combo that I'd expect a month or more ago.
Also observed after a rare prolonged absence was a PEREGRINE FALCON yesterday and an EAGLE a couple days before that. Both of those raptors have been nearly constant in seasons past.
Our RAVENS are still around but I'm seeing more absences, typical of their seasonal behaviour. That's good news for the other birds because the Ravens are practically raptors.
Seaducks (COMMON EIDERS) are hanging around as usual. Thursday I was a bit surprised to see a male Eider emerge from under our solar array. But, with the wind light and contrary, I figured it had just gotten itself grounded and it was looking for an open place to take off.
Anyway, I ended up catching it and transporting it to the shore. While in-hand, a good clue to its actions was revealed. From sternum to vent and 3" wide it was missing feathers and skin. That wound, plus the duck's light weight & apparent emaciation will likely spell its end.
The ALCIDS seem to have settled down to their homemaking in good numbers, although there were a couple very sparse days this past week.
MURRES are particularly noticeable both in numbers and distribution. We are well past the few hundreds formerly observed and into quadruple digits. Although nobody believes that they are all breeding it's quite a mob scene when they emerge from their "caves".
The TERNS have begun to stay overnight, although numbers can get pretty low at times during the day. It looks as if there should be some eggs very shortly. Then it's another season of crossed fingers.
There were just under 200 nests last year and, judging by my estimate of returning adults, we can hope for as many this year. Few chicks survived to fledge last year but that could improve greatly if weather and food co-operate this season.
The bird of the day for yesterday was a NORTHERN GANNET which seemed to be landing inspecting every boulder along the Southwest corner of the island, just a short distance from the failed nest of 3 years ago.
It's back again this morning, still right up among the Alcids but prospecting still more sites.
There's been no sign of another adult Gannet, so who knows what's afoot ......... A bird that already knows the island? A young, inexperienced, no-breeding bird that's prospecting for a nest site? A colonial bird that just likes the "party" atmosphere with all the Alcids?
Regardless, that great white figure certainly catches your eye amid the black-and-white mass.
A Gray pup or two can often be found hauled out somewhere around the island.
HARBOUR SEALS should be pupping soon and one or two usually do so here on MSI.
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