[birdky] RPT: West KY Sept 21

The hot, dry weather continues even though the equinox is upon us! I spent some 
time down along the Mississippi River Friday. I was going to look for 
waterbirds, but there seemed to be only a few and there were so many passerines 
that I switched over to the woods. I'm sure I've probably had 20 species of 
warblers in the fall before, but I don't recall when. Every time I stopped and 
pished at the local chickadees there were warblers with them. Some of the nicer 
finds were 3+ Blue-winged; 2 male Golden-winged; Blackburnian; Pine (at Swan 
Lake WMA far away from any pines); Kentucky; and Canada. I also had 4 
Red-breasted Nuthatches, the first two in bald cypress stands. Every RBNU I've 
seen so far this fall has been a male; anyone noting females yet??? Also had 
two Yellow-bellied Flycats, one singing nicely. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are 
absolutely everywhere now. And after seeing virtually no Cedar Waxwings in 
recent weeks, suddenly flocks have shown up down along the Mississippi ... 
early migrants, I guess.
 
Mitchell Lake is now devoid of waterfowl except for a couple of cripples and 
carcasses. I was not happy about the Greater Yellowlegs with a shot up wing; I 
made one futile attempt to catch him. Shorebird numbers are dropping, but there 
were still at least a dozen Stilt Sandpipers and a Buffy.
 
bpb, Frankfort

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