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)