Wednesday the 3rd, while quite slow by the numbers, did have a few nice highlights, including two Humpback Whales (possibly continuing from the previous day), a nice flight of Monarchs and Common Buckeyes, and a Blackpoll Warbler, Cape May Warbler, and a Red-breasted Nuthatch all flying in off the ocean in the early AM.
On Thursday the 4th had 12 southbound Brown Pelicans, but was otherwise even slower than the previous day.
Friday the 5th brought north and northeast winds, which facilitated a nice flight of over 3000 Double-crested Cormorants (with 2 Great Cormorants mixed in)! There was continued movement of Laughing Gulls throughout the day, as well as over 170 Great Blue Herons coming by in small flocks. A flock of 48 Black Skimmers was fun to watch as they came in from Sea Isle at a distance.
Saturday the 6th began with east winds that shifted to southeast by midday and south by sunset. These are excellent conditions for migration here at Avalon, and sure enough the scoters were moving. Over 3700 Black Scoters and 300 Surf Scoter came by, often in large flocks of 100-300 birds. Mixed in was a nice diversity of other ducks, including Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal, Wood Duck, Northern Shoveler, Greater and Lesser Scaup, Common Eider, and White-winged Scoter. Both loons came by in small numbers and a nice 16 Brown Pelicans came close and gave good looks to visitors. In fact, thanks to the east winds, nearly all the birds migrating today came in very close to the jetty, affording excellent looks to all.
The further into October we get, the more and more birds that will be flying by! Make sure to get on out here to the seawatch, especially on the next easterly wind!
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