Felt a little like Rip-van returning to the yard after an extended field work foray. Who turned on fall?? Had a Gray-cheeked Thrush in the yard the day I got back (September 20th -- #148) but otherwise it seems the neotropical fall migration has passed over the Swamp Kat.
Yesterday under favorable skies I finally added Broad-winged Hawk -- 1354 of them in 2.5 hours. Evidently the lair doubles as a HMANA site with kettles (up to 200) coming in from 3 directions, including a nice passage across Little Bay de Noc from the Stonington -- right across the Portage Marsh. Along with the BW there were 116 SACR, 1 NH, 1 AK, 10 BE, 6 TV, 2 SS, and 49 CAGO. Rounding out that delightful discovery was a visit by Harris's Sparrow (#150) and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (#151, sorry putzville).
Still a few egrets and bitterns around.
Nothing but downpour today and a GCTH. Here's to the final stretch! Already looking forward to 2011.
Not only does Caleb not have YBSA for his yard, but he's also made several failed attempts at chasing his "state" Harris' Sparrow. Have both of these birds reached nemesis status for you yet Caleb?
ReplyDeleteNeed I glorify that with an answer?
ReplyDeleteHe probably just confused them with 'roided up VESP x SOSP hybrids. Classic newb mistake.
ReplyDeleteImpressive raptor numbers Kaplan! Still waiting on my state (oh the shame!) BWHA to wing its way over The Wetlands...
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