other visitors from the North... and one from the South!

As October continues to tumble gently towards November and colder weather, more denizens of the North are appearing on our shores. Some look like snow flakes, to prepare us for what to come: Snow Buntings in their fluttering flocks have been delighted us these last few days.

Over Georgian Bay, flocks of Long-tailed Ducks have been flying fast over the water. They seem eager to go somewhere, as we haven't seen them yet resting on the water.

But the big surprise came today (October 27), as warm air loaded with humidity was pushed from the south: in a net (B8 to be precise), a large, yellow, white, and green bird, with a strong beak and a harsh call, was probably as astonished as us to found itself in such predicament! It was (drum roll!!)... a Yellow-breasted Chat!

This species has not only never been banded here at Cabot Head, but also never observed before, and not only in the count area, but also in the broader region of the BPBO checklist (at least, to the best of our knowledge). We gleefully put a band on it, took all the precise measurements, and spent some time taking pictures (soon to come on the blog).

In migration time, always expect the unexpected! (as I like to repeat)