Seawatch - Saturday, October 13, 2018

Today was quite cool, with 10-15 mph northwest winds that produced some interesting passerines and got the cormorants moving!  Over 1800 Double-crested Cormorants, 1100 Black Scoters, and 260 Surf Scoters came by in decent sized flocks slowly throughout the day.  Over 100 Brant and Great Blue Herons were counted as well, the first good push of these species.  37 Wood Duck were seen as well, which are always a pleasure to see migrating over the ocean.

On the songbird front, 4 Yellow-billed Cuckoos flew in off the ocean, including one that flew into the shack then flew back out!

Yellow-billed Cuckoo exiting the shack and continuing west/south down the jetty!

Several Red-breasted Nuthatches came in as well, including one that flew in the shack and back out, as well as a very tired one that ended up perched on a stalk of grass!

Blackpoll, Yellow-rumped, Praire, and Magnolia Warblers were all seen coming in off the ocean, as well as a Common Yellowthroat that was seen sitting on the jetty.  Also notable were two Blue-headed Vireos, one of which had white primaries!

A very cool-looking Blue-headed Vireo with white primaries!

My first Dark-eyed Junco and Golden-crowned Kinglets of the season were also seen and heard today.

Check out the Trektellen totals and my eBird checklist for more photos.

The next southeast winds we get should be quite productive for scoters!  FALL IS HERE!  COME BIRDING!

Good birding,
David