While overall numbers were certainly down from yesterday, a slight increase in diversity made for a fun flight this morning! Our first American Redstarts of the season zipped through the phrag early on; in just a few weeks these sleek little Warblers will be moving through in the thousands! Both species of Waterthrush flew by at several points throughout the morning, providing a fun ID challenge. Louisiana's won't be around for too much longer, so we'll do our best to savor every one! The Yellow Warbler flight from yesterday continued this morning, with a total of 14 northbound birds.
Non-Warbler migrants were few and far between this morning, but several Orchard Orioles made close passes over the phragmites, and singles of Bobolink and Eastern Kingbird made their way on to the count as well. Shorebirds are continuing to hang out in the small pool atop the dike, mostly Semipalmated Sandpipers with a handful of Spotted Sandpiper and Short-billed Dowitchers. Two calling Whimbrels flew up the canal this morning, certainly one of my favorite waders!
You never know what might fly by on these early season days, so come on up to the Dike and try your luck! These low-density mornings offer a great learning experience as well, allowing plenty of time to study baseline species like Yellow Warbler.
See you in the field!
Jerald Reb
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