Given the cool north winds last weekend, I decided to initiate the fall
migration season with a Saturday trip to the Hike/Bike Trai at Huntley.
Passerines were disappointing, to say the least: the only probably migrant
was an empid (probably TRAIL's) in the woodcock meadow. Highlight of the
morning were at least a dozen HUMMERS in the various meadow, some bathing on
dew-covered leaves, all pugnacious. At least 500 laughing gulls streamed
overhead during the morning, most silently. I presume there were a lot more
that I missed. Other notable birds
2 little blue heron/snowy egret (too far to ID)
1 snipe (plus the other usual shorebirds)
1 scarlet tanager (singing)
On Sunday, White Oaks Park was similarly lacking in migrant passerines.
I still don't understand birds . . . .
I also have a second-hand report (from Woody Blackwell) of 3 MISSISSIPPI
KITES in Waynewood and one flying over Hollin Hills (a mile or two north of
Waynewood) this weekend.
Ben Jesup
