[EMAS] Re: BRP: yesterday was the day - 10/1/14
- From: Steve Ritt <stevenmritt@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: emas <emas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2014 19:32:16 +0200
Oops. Realized the date should be 10/2/14. Sorry.
Steve Ritt
Asheville, NC
On Thu, Oct 2, 2014 at 7:22 PM, Steve Ritt <stevenmritt@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Eh, sometimes you just make the wrong choice of where to go birding.
> Having just gotten back in town, and then having seen Marilyn's report, I
> decided to stay close to home and go to Craggy Gardens and Ridge Junction
> this morning. I was joined by Joe and Marianne Mooney for a bit. In
> contrast to what Marilyn had yesterday, there was very little left up there
> today, but, now that I notice her timing, perhaps we missed the good window
> of time at Craggy.
>
> The only "highlight" (eh) was a little surge of raptor activity above
> Craggy Pinnacle just before sunrise. At least five (possibly up to eight)
> Merlins, two Peregrines, eight Sharp-shinned, and two Cooper's Hawks were
> all fighting with each other there, and no one seemed to want to leave.
> Usually Merlins are on a one-way-mission during migration, and might only
> make one or two aggressive interactions before continuing their journey,
> but every time I looked up there, there were one or two fighting (hence the
> conservative "five"). A few more Peregrines and Sharp-shinneds were between
> Ridge Junction and Mt. Mitchell.
>
> Passerine flight was evident at Craggy, but I'd estimate only about 250
> birds passed by during my hour or so there (7:15-8:15ish). My ears are
> rusty from being out of the country for the past six weeks, and most
> warblers went unidentified. It was very difficult to see the birds. Species
> composition was similar to what Marilyn mentioned yesterday. Tennessee,
> Bay-breasted, Black-throated Green, and Black-throated Blue Warblers at
> Craggy. Added a few Palm and Common Yellowthroats near Mt. Mitchell. Tons
> of RB Grosbeaks, Swainson's Thrushes, and four or so Gray-cheeked Thrushes.
> Golden-crowned outnumbered the Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and a few Blue-headed
> Vireos, etc.
>
> Ridge Junction was close to dead.
>
> Perhaps the front that is on its way pushed the big numbers through
> yesterday. I'll try the lowlands tomorrow.
>
> Steve Ritt
> Asheville, NC
>
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