It's been a slow-to-average fall here on MSI, as far as migration is concerned. The songbirds are trickling through.
WHITE THROATED SPARROWS are the current leader on the tally board but BUTTERBUTTS and RED EYED VIREOS, among other species, have each briefly held high number on various days.
Raptors are fairly steady. Today it was PEREGRINE FALCONS topping the list with 14 individuals definite. There were several other sightings but there was risk of double counting some of those birds.
There were a couple MERLINS and 3-4 KESTRELS sprinkled through the day and this evening brought a nice female HARRIER hunting until after sunset.
Two and three days ago it was Kestrels from dawn 'til dusk and the dozen or so FLICKERS that were also here didn't get much rest. The Flickers were really too big for the Kestrels and mostly it was Kestrels and Flickers locked in staring contests, frequently just a meter or two apart. Every now and then a Flicker would get unnerved or a Kestrel would feel hopeful, resulting in a swift, brief pursuit. The chase always ended predictably: Raptor ceases the chase and Flicker hunkers down until the next time.
Not all chases are so benign, though, and raptors have to feed. Victim species is usually uncertain but I've found remains of SAPSUCKER, SWAMP SPARROW, SONG SPARROW, FLICKER, YELLOW RUMPED WARBLER, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, YELLOW BILLED & BLACK BILLED CUCKOOS, HERRING & GR.BLK.BACKED GULLS, SAVANNAH SPARROWS, MOURNING DOVE and this evening, a half consumed GRAY CATBIRD.
On the 3rd there was an OSPERY which over-nighted, much displeasing our local RAVENS. He ignored their scolding and that seemed to displease them even more.
Rounding out the Raptors has been 1 or more Harriers almost every evening and our "resident" EAGLE continues to instruct the gulls on survival techniques.
Late last week there was a wave of GANNETS after a slow build-up over perhaps 4 days. They seemed to be finding a bit of food. I estimated as many as 1500 were easily visible just off the southern end of the island and double that visible with binoculars. Plunge fishing at it's best.
Yesterday produced many modest sized flocks of DC CORMORANTS headed to the South'ard as well several flocks of COMMON EIDER. A few of both species spend varying periods of time feeding around the island and /or resting on shore.
There is still a handful of PEEPS flitting about: all or mostly SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS although I saw a SPOTTED SANDPIPER this morning. From tiny to big: I flushed a SNIPE as I walked up-island at sunset and a WOODCOCK as I returned a few minutes later.
There were a couple of "petrel nights" last week. I assume that a lot of the birds observed were likely newly minted versions of LEACH'S STORM PETREL although there were plenty of worn adults and some WILSON'S STORM PETRELS.
Also among the night flyers were PHALAROPES of uncertain identity.
BIRD OF THE DAY: NORTHERN FULMAR
A light morph individual appeared on our lawn around mid-afternoon today (Tuesday). I didn't see it arrive and wonder if it might have grounded during the night and had only just emerged from deep vegetation. It was foggy and rainy last night: more typical of conditions when I've seen them grounded here.
We were receiving materials from multiple helicopter flights so I didn't bother with it at first but when it got close to operations I wrangled it into a cooler for later release.
It's now back at sea, none the worse for its little adventure. It remained quite docile, other than some exploratory surgery on a couple of my fingers. Anyone got a bit of B positive that they can spare?
There are still a few MONARCH BUTTERFLIES moving through but their feeding choices are limited. ASTER is our big crop and most of that has gone to seed. Nonetheless they manage as do the LADIES, SULPHURS & WHITES which comprise virtually all of our current migrants.
Only one HUMMINGBIRD seen this past week and, like the butterflies, it did more searching than feeding.
GRAY SEALS remain numerous with a dozen or two sleeping in front of the house most daytime flood tides. They are always interesting to watch as they float vertically in the water with their snouts pointed straight to the sky and frequently with mouth wide open. They are pretty much always very close inshore and I wonder if being in quite shallow water offers some protection from shark attacks when they rest.
Of course these floating groups are just a tiny percentage of the local population.
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