Sightings Update 10/4/2022

Spotted Towhee. Photo by Chris Neri

Harris’s Sparrow. Photo by Chris Neri

HIGHLIGHTS: Spotted Towhee, Nelson’s Sparrow,
Lark Bunting, Harris’s Sparrow.

The Point’s second Spotted Towhee was found on October 1 and seen again briefly in the late afternoon on the second. The Point’s fourth Nelson’s Sparrow was found on September 28 and seen again very briefly on September 29. A Lark Bunting was seen flying in off the lake on September 29, but efforts to relocate it were unsuccessful. While not as notable as the previous three species, a Harris’s Sparrow was found on September 27.

As you might guess from the highlights, the sparrow migration has recently picked up. There hasn’t been a major influx yet, but we saw the first pushes of White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows this week. Savannah, Swamp, and Lincoln’s Sparrows have been present, but in somewhat surprisingly low numbers. Other recent sparrow sightings include fox, clay-colored, and vesper. Woodpecker numbers and diversity have also had a notable increase this week. Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers have been all over the woods. A Black-backed Woodpecker made a brief appearance on September 29. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are being seen on a nearly daily basis, and at least one Pileated Woodpecker has been making its presence very well known every day. The warbler migration is mostly over, but some southerly flows have made the late warbler season somewhat productive. Along with large numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers, other recent warbler sightings include orange-crowned, magnolia, blackpoll, Cape May, and black-throated green. There is still the occasional Swainson’s Thrush or Gray-cheeked Thrush, and Hermit Thrushes are showing the first signs that they are starting to pick up.

White-crowned Sparrow. Photo by Chris Neri

~ Chris Neri
2022 Fall Field Ornithologist