Fall Field Ornithologist Update: Week 5

This week offered consistent sunshine and calm south winds for morning flights. Songbird activity often spikes as cloud cover clears up following a cold front. A notable push of Pine Siskin started in the last few days, including over 330 tallied the morning of 9/11. Red Crossbill activity continues to impress as well. Although Type 2 are still dominant, Type 4 and 12 have become more regular. A flight of 132 Red Crossbills was observed from the hawkwatch platform on 9/11.

Red Crossbill. Photo by Oliver Kew

This is shaping up to be an excellent year for Red-breasted Nuthatch. Their loud distinct, nasally calls are a constant presence in the woods. A single morning flight on 9/11 recorded 91 migrants.

Whitefish Point Lighthouse. Photo by Oliver Kew

New fall arrivals continue to show at Whitefish Point each week. The first wave of Savannah Sparrows arrived in recent days. Golden-crowned Kinglets and Brown Creepers have also returned in small numbers. Sporadic flocks of Blue Jays have been sighted as well, although their spring movements are far greater in numbers.

Blue Jay. Photo by Oliver Kew

The count has yet to record a single migrant blackbird flock, although October is the primary migration window for these species. A single Rusty Blackbird was found in the woods on 9/13. The first of season Brown-headed Cowbird was a friendly immature following birders around the parking area. This individual foraged for insects next to people’s feet, similar to behavior around livestock.

Brown-headed Cowbird. Video by Oliver Kew

Notable sightings this week include two flyover Dickcissels during morning flight on 9/9, a Connecticut Warbler found in the woods by the Michigan Audubon WPBO Fall Tour led by Kyle Shanta on 9/13, and a flyby Black-Backed Woodpecker observed from the Raptor Deck on 9/14.

Lynn Miller found a cooperative Wilson’s Snipe on 09/12 at a pond just off the Whitefish Point property on W Wildcat Rd. This pond offers excellent conditions for shorebird migrants and is worth a check if driving through!

Wilson’s Snipe. Photo by Oliver Kew

The Raptor Deck at Whitefish Point operates in spring only. When heading south, Raptors travel around Lake Superior and do not cross open water. Consistent south winds and clear skies helped push some fall migrants up to the point this week. Sunshine creates thermals and increases activity, making for good conditions for observing migrating raptors. Broad-winged Hawks are the dominant buteo throughout September, while fall Red-tailed Hawk movements take place in October. Note the plumage and structural differences between these two immature hawks. Red-tailed Hawks are larger, with dark patagial bars and dense belly streaking.

A small trail on the northeast side of the lighthouse parking lot is called “Memory Lane” by local birders. This area has excellent shrubby habitat and often turns up great sightings. Bird seed is thrown down the path daily to attract sparrow flocks, and Memory Lane certainly delivered this week! On the evening of 9/14, Joanie and Mark Hubinger found Whitefish Point’s fourth record of Painted Bunting along the path. Thankfully the Hubingers were quick to get the word out! A small group of spectators were treated to delightful views as the bunting foraged for bugs among many White-throated Sparrows.

Painted Bunting. Video by Oliver Kew

Oliver Kew, Fall Field Ornithologist

Featured Photo: Painted Bunting by O. Kew