Highlights: Barred Owl and adult Northern Goshawk

As is the case during any season, there are going to be slow days. A light east wind really stalled out the migration today, there were still a few good sightings though. A Barred Owl (photo above) was roosting at the Point today. Snow Buntings were on the beach again today, and there was once again a roving flock of Common Redpolls.

Highlights: Black-legged Kittiwake

Activity has been slow in the woods over the last couple of days, but some of the later season birds have begun appearing. Northern Shrikes (photo above), Common Redpoll, and Snow Bunting have been being seen daily. Other reports have included Bohemian Waxwing, Pine and Evening Grosbeak, and White-winged Crossbill. Rough-legged Hawks showed up yesterday, and another was seen today. There have been predictions of a good winter finch season, and we are beginning to see hints that this is going to prove true.

Highlights: Northern Shrike, Common Redpoll, and Harris's Sparrow

Well it has finally begun to feel like fall and appropriately enough the first Northern Shrike and Common Redpoll of the season showed up today. American Tree (photo below) and White-crowned Sparrow numbers have also been increasing. Evening grosbeaks have begun visiting the feeders, after a week or so of flying over the Point. The numbers of Golden-crowned Kinglets have also been growing over the last couple of days. It pains me to admit it, but Cory got better shots of the Shrike than I did today and he posted a nice shot on the waterbird blog.

Feeders: American Tree, Song, Vesper, White-throated, White-crowned, and Harris's Sparrow, Dark-eyed junco, Purple Finch and Pine Siskin. A Ruffed Grouse has also been making the occasional appearance.

Highlights: Orange-crowned Warbler, continuing Harris's Sparrows

There were a few warbler around today, in addition to the Yellow-rumpeds and Palms we had Cape May, Tennesse, Orange-crowned, and Magnolia. Harris's Sparrows continue at the feeders, at least two were still present. there were good numbers of Savannah and Swamp Sparrows around and Tree Sparrows are now being seen daily. A LeConte's Sparrow was found at the foghorn pond on the 6th. The feeders continue attracting large numbers of Pine Siskin.

Highlights: LeConte's Sparrow (photo above), Harris's Sparrow (3)

The woods have been rather active the last few days. There have been lots of Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers. Other warblers have included Tennessee, Magnolia, Redstart, and Northern Waterthrush. Sparrow diversity has been high with American Tree, Chipping, Savannah, LeConte's, Fox, Lincoln's, Swamp, White-throated, Harris's, and White-crowned being seen. Both Red and White-winged Crossbills along with Evening Grosbeaks made fly by appearances today and a Northern Cardinal visited the feeders this afternoon.

There was a big waterbird migration today and owl migration continues to be productive. Be sure to check Cory's waterbird blog along with Keith and Wendy's owl blog for updates.

Highlights: Short-eared Owl, Parasitic Jaeger and a continuing Harris's Sparrow

Waterbird count: Visibility was limited today, but there was still a nice movement close enough to shore to see. White-winged Scoters are moving in decent numbers as are scaup. Other waterfowl included Redhead, American Wigeon, Surf Scoter, Black Duck, Pintail and Blue-winged Teal. Shorebirds today were Black-bellied, American Golden, and Semipalmated Plover, Sanderling ,and a flock of about 70 Dunlin. A Short-eared Owl (photos above) came in off the lake and hunted the beach for about 20 minutes. It returned several hours later and worked the Point briefly before heading out over the bay. Other raptors seen were Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier (including the adult male in photo below), Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, and Merlin. We continue to get nice looks at Parasitic Jaegers. We had a nice long look at one as it came down the lakeside shoreline. The bird today had a very buffy head compared to yesterday's.

Highlights: Parasitic Jaeger, Black Scoter

Waterbirds: The day started off slowly, but the last 2 hours of the count picked up. Sightings included all three scoter species, Redhead, Black-bellied and American Golden Plover and Baird's Sanpiper (photo below). We also had a nice pass from a Parasitic Jaeger (photo above).
Cory and I have been doing the best we can trying to identify jaegers to species and to determine if the same individual is remaining at the Point, a very difficult task. Just visible in the above photo are the pointy central tail feathers of a young Parasitic. These feathers were longer and pointier than the feathers on the Parasitics most recently seen at the Point (see photos in most recent posts). The last Parasitic we observed with streamers this long and pointy, other than an adult, occured on 9/19. The Sept. 19th bird also appeared more pale headed than today's bird, so I assumed this was a new bird. 40+ Dunlin came by the Point after the count had ended.

As I covered the waterbird count, the woods didn't get much coverage today. The Harris's Sparrow was still at the feeders. A cuckoo was seen from the Point, and Keith and Wendy had a Yellow-billed this afternoon. There were lots of Pine Siskins at the feeders today.