Shorebirds and swallows continued to move through the area in moderate numbers from the 11th – 20th and there was a slight but noticeable increase in migrant songbird activity as well. Nineteen fall ‘firsts’ were noted including ones-and-twos of eight warbler species. Daily species diversity at the station ranged from a low of 29 on August 11th to a high of 51 on the 18th.
Gull numbers reached a near station-high on August 11th when almost 5000 birds were estimated at the tip on the morning census – mostly Ring-billed along with small numbers of Bonaparte’s, Herring, and Great Black-backs. Common Terns were numerous on the 14th, with 1200 birds noted. Shorebirds were observed on most days, with five species recorded on the 12th including 11 Sanderlings, 3 Semipalmated Plovers, Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers.
An Osprey and six shorebird spp. were observed on August 15th along with a few songbirds including American Redstart and Northern Waterthrush. A Sora calling at Fox Pond on the 16th and a Greater Yellowlegs and Canada Warbler the next day were both fall ‘firsts’. August 17th was the most active morning at the station since coverage began on the 1st, with 51 species noted, including eight warbler species, along with a nice variety of others. Fall ‘firsts’ included Bobolink, Ovenbird, Blackburnian and Black-and-white Warbler.
The 19th was equally active – fifty species were tallied during the morning coverage period. A Chestnut-sided Warbler was new for the season. Other species on the day included small numbers of Least and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Barn and Bank Swallow, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Wood Thrush, and another eight warbler spp. The wind returned to the south on the evening of the 19th and migrant numbers tapered off on the final day of the summary period.
PIBO’s next migration update will be posted on September 2nd.
