Highlights:
Townsend’s Solitaire, Willet, and Red-headed Woodpecker
We continue to experience unseasonably warm weather and southerly winds. Despite the unfavorable conditions for southward migration, there have been some good sightings this past week. The Ash-throated Flycatcher first found on Oct. 2 remained through Oct. 6. A Willet was present Oct. 4–6. On Oct. 7, Townsend’s Solitaire and a Red-headed Woodpecker made brief appearances.
White-winged Crossbill | Photo by Chris Neri
Although the unfavorable weather conditions have not generated any significant migration events, there have still been times when songbird activity in the woods has been decent. Recent sightings in the woods include good numbers of Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dark-eyed Juncos, and Pine Siskins. Sparrow numbers have been down recently, but White-crowned, White-throated, Lincoln’s, Swamp, Savannah, Song, Fox, and LeConte’s Sparrows were seen this past week. We’ve been hearing small numbers of White-winged Crossbills and have occasionally enjoyed nice views of them feeding on pine cones. Other recent sightings include Ruffed Grouse, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Rusty Blackbird, Blue-headed Vireo, and Orange-crowned Warbler.
Chris Neri
2021 Fall Field Ornithologist
Featured photo: A Willet eating dragonfly larvae. Photo by Chris Neri
