September 29, 2005 [LINK]
Seasonal transition begins
It was a cool, blustery, overcast morning heralding the arrival of truly autumnal weather, and it was therefore fitting that I spotted two winter birds on the trail behind the Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad. According to my records, this is the earliest date of the season I have ever seen either of them. Unlike earlier this week, there were only a few neotropical migrants, and hardly any catbirds. (They usually hang around until mid-October.) Today's highlights:
- White-throated sparrow! (Previous earliest arrival was Oct. 12.)
- Ruby-crowned kinglet! (Previous earliest arrival was Sept. 30.)
- Rose-breasted grosbeaks (2 JM, 1 F)
- Red-bellied woodpeckers (F/J)
- N. flicker (F/J)
- Downy woodpeckers (M, F)
- E. phoebes
- American redstart (M)
- Magnolia warbler (F/J)
- Tree swallows (10+, flying high)