the warblers have arrived!

the last few days have seen a constant arrival of new species, especially warblers. And today, with a strong, warm, south wind, migration was in full swing. No banding was done, due to windstorm conditions, but lots of birds were seen, notably warblers and white-crowned sparrows, feasting on the recently emerged midges.

We detected today (May 8) 14 species of warblers (with a season total of 17 already). The new species were: Golden-winged warbler (quite unusual at the station), Northern Parula, Blackburnian Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Orange-crowned Warbler. Also newly arrived were Least Flycatcher, Great-crested Flycatcher and Swainson's Thrush (after the first Veery just yesterday. Also of notice, a Clay-coloured Sparrow was seen and heard, in a flock of the numerous White-crowned Sparrows.

The flows of Yellow-rumped warblers and Northern Flickers are down to a trickle now. Another Golden Eagle (a young) was observed on May 7. Sharp-shinned and Broad-winged hawks are still quite abundant. Our resident Merlins are in full courtship display!