the fall migration monitoring has begun!

Hi all!

I know, I know, many of you don't like to hear the word "fall" in August, so maybe let's call the massive retreat from Northern Climes by our feathered friends the "post-breeding migration". How about that?

It's been 2 weeks that the mistnets have been open again at Cabot Head Research Station. As usual, August is slow and we've been catching mostly local birds, like American Redstarts (lots of them), Black-and-White Warblers, Common Yellowthroats, and Song Sparrows.

The first "true" migrant was a male Wilson's Warbler, caught on August 23rd. "True" because this species doesn't breed on the Bruce Peninsula. But all the aforementioned species are migrants too, they're just bidding their time for now.

Although not migrating at the moment, many Bald Eagles are regularly being seen at Cabot Head, most notably 5 immatures in one day (August 24). Bald Eagles seem too be more common and it is certainly a treat to see them on an almost daily basis!

On that same day of the 5 Eagles, an Olive-sided Flycatcher was very cooperative and give us all the time needed to make a proper identification. It is the first Olive-sided Flycatcher ever sighted in the fall at the station! It was a good day as the first Mourning Warbler was caught too.

So, the operation is running smoothly, thanks notably to the 2 dedivated volunteers, Glenn, from Toronto who's returning this fall after spending 3 weeks in spring, and Matthias, a young bander from Austria who's here for 6 weeks. Once again, BPBO is attracting people from around the world!

I'll try to be good and keep you posted on the major and minor events of beautiful Cabot Head (a place where you can watch at the same time otters fishing in Wingfield Basin and black bears ambling on its shoreline!)