The recent spell of contrary winds has done little to encourage movement of the smaller migrants. Tomorrow night may be okay but it doesn't look like really favourable conditions until Thursday night (if the forecasts are to be believed).
Here, on MSI, even allowing for the earliness of the season, the dearth of migrants is very evident.
Except for a group of ROBINS enjoying the lawns, the only recent songbirds I've seen were 4 STARLINGS, 2 GRACKLES, 6 FLICKERS, 2 FOX SPARROWS and the first CHIPPING & SAVANNAH SPARROWS.
I only saw a couple Chippies and perhaps a dozen Savannahs, none of which acted like they were returned resident breeders.
There were 2 "IPSWICH TYPE" sparrows in the mix, including one apparent young bird that was still capitalizing on the adult response to juvenile begging. Although it was feeding itself, it shadowed an adult and was successful in coercing food quite frequently.
Strictly speaking, I guess the 8 RAVENS that passed through yesterday should be included with the smaller songbirds.
Several EAGLES have been around, usually one at a time, with a couple apparent residents and the others probable migrants.
CORMORANTS, both DOUBLE CREASTED & GREAT are seen daily but in small numbers.
HARLEQUIN DUCKS remain stable at around 3-4 dozen but apparently resident COMMON EIDERS have increased somewhat, especially the number of males.
PURPLE SANDPIPERS remain scarce. I saw a flock of over 30 flash by yesterday but I lost sight of them so I don't know if the stayed on the island or were on the move.
The Alcids continue to be spotty with little presence on the island during the finer weather. Even the rafting on the water isn't really notable. It's looking like another late-ish start to the breeding season.
GRAY SEALS are very evident with upwards of 200 drawing out on Gull Rock every day. Quite a lot of pups are visible but getting harder to distinguish from the adults as they pack on weight.
HARBOUR SEALS are also present although far fewer. They are just approaching their pupping season. It was rather early but I found a dead pup a couple days ago. That makes one pup of each species this year (so far).
I left sending this post while I did a job next door. When I stepped outside, headed back here to the house, I spotted a dark ????? in front of the lighthouse.
It didn't take long to realize that it was a WOOD DUCK drake, sitting back to me, hunkered down in the 35 knot wind.
He was quite calm about a couple humans walking around but in the end he decided that his exposed location and unwanted attention was reason enough to relocate to the wee pond in the middle of the island.
You just never know when things will get interesting.
-- Here, on MSI, even allowing for the earliness of the season, the dearth of migrants is very evident.
Except for a group of ROBINS enjoying the lawns, the only recent songbirds I've seen were 4 STARLINGS, 2 GRACKLES, 6 FLICKERS, 2 FOX SPARROWS and the first CHIPPING & SAVANNAH SPARROWS.
I only saw a couple Chippies and perhaps a dozen Savannahs, none of which acted like they were returned resident breeders.
There were 2 "IPSWICH TYPE" sparrows in the mix, including one apparent young bird that was still capitalizing on the adult response to juvenile begging. Although it was feeding itself, it shadowed an adult and was successful in coercing food quite frequently.
Strictly speaking, I guess the 8 RAVENS that passed through yesterday should be included with the smaller songbirds.
Several EAGLES have been around, usually one at a time, with a couple apparent residents and the others probable migrants.
CORMORANTS, both DOUBLE CREASTED & GREAT are seen daily but in small numbers.
HARLEQUIN DUCKS remain stable at around 3-4 dozen but apparently resident COMMON EIDERS have increased somewhat, especially the number of males.
PURPLE SANDPIPERS remain scarce. I saw a flock of over 30 flash by yesterday but I lost sight of them so I don't know if the stayed on the island or were on the move.
The Alcids continue to be spotty with little presence on the island during the finer weather. Even the rafting on the water isn't really notable. It's looking like another late-ish start to the breeding season.
GRAY SEALS are very evident with upwards of 200 drawing out on Gull Rock every day. Quite a lot of pups are visible but getting harder to distinguish from the adults as they pack on weight.
HARBOUR SEALS are also present although far fewer. They are just approaching their pupping season. It was rather early but I found a dead pup a couple days ago. That makes one pup of each species this year (so far).
I left sending this post while I did a job next door. When I stepped outside, headed back here to the house, I spotted a dark ????? in front of the lighthouse.
It didn't take long to realize that it was a WOOD DUCK drake, sitting back to me, hunkered down in the 35 knot wind.
He was quite calm about a couple humans walking around but in the end he decided that his exposed location and unwanted attention was reason enough to relocate to the wee pond in the middle of the island.
You just never know when things will get interesting.
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