October 5, 2006 [LINK / comment]

More fall birds behind SARS

In anticipation of the rainy weather that has now arrived, I took a walk behind the Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad this morning, and found several interesting birds, including the first Swainson's thrush of the year for me. (This is the first year since I began keeping records ten years ago that I have not seen any Wood thrushes.) Today's highlights:

• Magnolia warblers
• Swainson's thrush (FOY)
• Ruby-crowned kinglets
• Tree swallows
• Downy woodpeckers
• Red-bellied woodpecker
• Black-throated green warbler
• Phoebe
• Red-eyed vireo
• Cape May warbler (F/J) -- back yard

Yesterday I saw a Yellow-bellied sapsucker (JF) in our back yard, the first one this season. For the last five years, the arrival date of that species for me has been amazingly consistent. Downy woodpeckers and Goldfinches continue to show up regularly, as well.