Sightings Update 9/13/22

Smith’s Longspur. Photo by Chris Neri

Highlights: Smith’s Longspur & Yellow-headed Blackbird

The big news this past week was certainly the Smith’s Longspur found by Fall Waterbird Counter Alec Olivier on the beach on September 5. It remained at least through the eleventh, providing the opportunity for many birders to visit the Point to see it. Alec also had a flyby Yellow-headed Blackbird out at the waterbird shack on the twelfth. Aside from the vagrants, we experienced a few days of good warbler migration. There was one warbler flock on the twelfth that was the largest I have ever seen here in the fall, if not ever. Standing in one spot for about 20 minutes, I just watched as hundreds of warblers passed by in a continuous stream. Although I failed to find some of our regular warblers, 19 species were observed that day.

Blackburnian Warbler. Photo by Chris Neri

In addition to the warblers, Swainson’s Thrush and Gray-cheeked Thrush numbers have been increasing in recent days. Sparrow numbers have also been growing — primarily White-throated Sparrows, but Swamp and Lincoln Sparrows are also becoming more regular. Other recent sightings include Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Black-billed Cuckoo, White-winged Crossbill, and Winter Wren.

Looking at the forecast for the days I covered the waterbird count last week, I saw that there was going to be dense fog Thursday morning. When I woke up, I was relieved to see it was clear. However, arriving at the waterbird shack, I noticed a vast fog bank over Lake Superior headed towards us. Even though we all knew it would effectively bring our visibility down to a few hundred feet, watching this wall of fog approach was amazing.

A fog bank approaching the Point. Photo by Chris Neri

Birders searching for the Smith’s Longspur in the fog. Photo by Chris Neri

~ Chris Neri
2022 Fall Field Ornithologist