I know what your thinking,"Isn't Chris from Philly?", "Don't the Phillies have a chance to win the world series tonight?", "Gee, I hope that won't effect his effort on the blog tonight."
I would never let that happen. Uh, the Phils have the bases loaded in the first.

Highlights: Cattle Egret (above)

A Cattle Egret spent much of the morning at the harbor, this is just the 3rd record of this species for the Point. Efforts to relocate the egret in the afternoon and again in the evening were unsuccessful. Activity around the woods was particularly slow today. Sightings included; Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, American Tree Sparrow, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, and White-winged Crossbill.

Horned Grebe

We were saddened by the news that Paradise resident Linda Roberts died last night. Linda added more local flavor than anyone I have known up here. I will miss her and the sound of her shooting from the O. K. Corral, her house down Wildcat Road

Highlights: Northern Shrike (above)

While the finch flight slowed down a bit today, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, Red and White-winged Crossbill, and Evening Grosbeak were seen. After not being seen for a a few days, there were several Yellow-rumped Warblers today. Northern Goshawks continue to be seen in the woods and making sweeps over the beach at the tip. Hundreds of Snow Bunting continue to be seen daily, and Tim had a few Lapland Longspurs today. Other sightings included; Rough-legged Hawk, Brown Creeper, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Cedar Waxwing, and American Tree Sparrow. It looks like we're going to get blasted with our first taste of winter over the next few days......oh yay.

Northern Goshawk, adult

Northern Goshawk, juvenile

Highlights: Dickcissel (above)

After not being seen for a few days, a Dickcissel reappeared at the feeders. There was also a report of multiple Dickcissels seen at the feeders a couple of days ago. There was no real change in the woods today, but the big finch flight continued. Multiple Northern Goshawks were seen, including an adult. While we have seen a few Common Redpolls, and Pine and Evening Grosbeaks over the last few days, we're still waiting for their numbers to increase and for the first Bohemian Waxwings to arrive.

Highlights: Northern Cardinal

A male Northern Cardinal, a good bird here, was seen briefly this morning. There was another big finch flight this morning. In less than 45 minutes over 200 Purple Finch and 700 Pine Siskins passed the hawk platform. Snow Buntings also continued to occur in good numbers. Other sightings included; Northern Goshawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, American Tree Sparrow, White-winged Crossbill, and Evening Grosbeak.

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

Northern Goshawk

Highlights: Black-backed Woodpecker (above), &

Pine Grosbeak

There was another big finch flight today. Hundreds of Pine Siskins and Purple Finch, along with smaller numbers of White-winged and Red Crossbills, and American Goldfinch came through today. Tim also had some Common Redpolls out at the tip today. A single Pine Grosbeak was seen yesterday, and several more were seen today. Snow Buntings were regularly coming in off the lake. I was out along the lake shore a few miles from the tip this evening and the Snow Buntings were still coming in at sunset. Other sightings included; Ruffed Grouse, Bald Eagle, Winter Wren, and Rusty Blackbird.

White-winged Crossbill

Purple Finch

Downy Woodpecker having a bad hair day.

Highlights: Northern Shrikes (above)

Two Northern Shrikes were drawn in by the Merlin pole today. Snow Bunting numbers picked up, and Horned Lark and Lapland Longspur continue out on the beach. A strong northeast wind blew all day, and the waterfowl flight slowed down significantly from yesterday. Long-tailed Duck numbers actually picked up a bit, but all other waterfowl species essentially trickled through. Waterfowl species seen were Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated and Common Loon, and White-winged, Surf, and Black Scoters. A couple Bald Eagles were seen, and a young Northern Goshawk made several sweeps of the beach this afternoon. Tim should be back for the waterbird tomorrow.

Northern Goshawk

Northern Goshawk & Snow Buntings

Bald Eagle