Sightings Update 9/26/2022

The weather this past week has been particularly variable, including south winds, strong north winds, and periods of rain. The birding has naturally also been significantly different daily, reflecting the varying weather patterns. As we mentioned last week, warbler migration has been winding down, but there are still occasional flocks that contain some diversity. As the warbler migration has been tapering off, we have seen hints of the mid-season migrants picking up. As is typical for this time of year, White-throated Sparrows have become one of the most numerous birds at the Point in recent days. White-crowned Sparrows have arrived in small numbers, and the first Fox Sparrows of the season have arrived. Golden-crowned Kinglets have continued in good number, with a few Ruby-crowned Kinglets mixing in. The number of Brown Creepers often mixing in with the kinglet flocks has recently increased. Finch numbers are still low, but Pine Siskins, Purple Finches, and American Goldfinches have started appearing more regularly. Recently, small flocks of Rusty Blackbirds have also become a daily sight in the woods. I don’t know what it is about Rusty Blackbirds, but to me, they optimize fall as much as pumpkins, the turning leaves, or Halloween.

Rusty Blackbird. Photo by Chris Neri

A Nashville Warbler finishing off a caterpillar meal. Photo by Chris Neri

~ Chris Neri
2022 Fall Field Ornithologist