Migration on the rebound!

After many cold days with north wind, we were feeling deprived of the spectacle of migration… Finally, on Friday May 23, on a clear, calm, and slightly warmer, we were delighted by a renewal of sort! Many birds, especially warblers, were seen amid the new soft green leaves of spring. A lot of new species for the spring were observed this day, notably Red-eyed Vireo, Bay-breasted Warbler, and Canada Warbler.

A total of 19 species of warblers were detected out of the 24 species regularly seen in spring at Cabot Head! Brace yourself for the list: Orange-crowned, Nashville, Northern Parula (great view of this beautiful warbler!), Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Cape May, Black-throated Blue, Myrtle (Yellow-rumped), Black-throated Green, Blackburnian (another striking one!!), Palm, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, Black-and-white, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, and last but not least, Canada Warbler!!

Other interesting birds were the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Northern Orioles, and 2 Evening Grosbeaks! A very good day indeed, enjoyed by all the good people who were at Cabot Head at the time…

Since then, the good birds, like the good times, have continue to roll, with more late migrants showing up in our little corner of paradise. On May 24, the first Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was detected. On May 25, warm weather greeted us at dawn, a nice change. And more species were to be seen on that day than any other of the season! Many new species for the spring were seen or heard: Tennessee, Wilson’s, and Mourning Warblers, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Cedar Waxwing. And more excitement came with the capture of a Rusty Blackbird (a young female), the second one ever caught here!

On the lazy Sunday afternoon, while on a short hike to admire the Lakeside Daisies, another new species flew overhead, peeping: a Common Nighthawk!