Mostly cloudy skies and a southerly breeze set the tone for Morning Flight's opening day. Today's movement was a small one, but included seven warbler species and some August specialties, such as Prothonotary Warbler and Worm-eating Warbler. "Non-count" highlights included 150+ Barn Swallows headed south along the beachfront, and a juvenile Gull-billed Tern that flew past as the observation period ended. A complete listing of the birds counted this morning can be found below, along with some photos.
The project's primary counter, Glen Davis, will be back in the director's chair tomorrow. I'm sure he'd enjoy your company (and some coffee...and some donuts...).
Summary for 16 August 2014:
Weather: mostly cloudy; 63–73ºF; winds calm, becoming south at 5–10mph after 7:00AM; visibility excellent.
Count totals:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird – 2
Eastern Kingbird – 13
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 10
Cedar Waxwing – 32
Worm-eating Warbler – 4
Northern Waterthrush – 16
Black-and-white Warbler – 6
Prothonotary Warbler – 1
American Redstart – 31
Yellow Warbler – 18
Prairie Warbler – 1
warbler, sp. – 2
Indigo Bunting – 3
Bobolink –22
Orchard Oriole – 2
Baltimore Oriole – 6
Daily Total: 169
 | |||
| Blue-gray Gnatcatcher circling over the dike. Photo by Tom Reed. |
 |
| One of four Worm-eating Warblers to exit the woods this morning. Photo by Tom Reed. |
 |
| More Worm-eater. Photo by Tom Reed. |
 |
| Maybe not your typical view of a Worm-eating Warbler. Photo by Tom Reed. |
