Morning Flight – 14 September 2014

The quick front that cleared yesterday evening made for clear and windy conditions this morning. Did the nocturnal songbird migrants take advantage of this wind? The answer seems to be that they did in a small way today, but PERHAPS WITH MORE COMING TOMORROW. Sixteen species of warblers showed at Morning Flight and at times the action was really quick with these little winged forms getting batted around by the wind. Early morning raptors were the best they've been yet this season with frequent passes by Sharpies and Merlins at the dike today.

Weather and time: sunny and clear; 59–62 ºF; winds NNE at 10-15 mph for H1; NE at 12-20 mph for H2 and H3; 0% cloud cover H1; 5% cc H2 and H3; very good visibility; 0640 sunrise; 3.25 hours.
    
       Morning Flight Count totals:  
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  1     1 south
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  46
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  29
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  105
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)  9
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  9
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina)  1
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla)  3
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  2
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  86
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina)  2
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  41
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)  5
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca)  2
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  5
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)  1
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  5
Bay-breasted/Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga castanea/striata)  1
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  5
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)  20
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)  1
warbler sp. (Parulinae sp.)  18
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)  1
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)  2
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  34
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  1

Today's full list can be viewed at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19828963

Even a long-distance champ like Blackpoll Warbler has to juke and jive in a heavier wind.

It was a great morning for Common Nighthawk with 8 seen.

Merlin eyeing up the sun.

What are you doing reading this when there's still a WHISKERED TERN in Cape May!!! (Photos by: Glen Davis)