Preview - butterfly knots.

I've done my best to avoid working the new yard but last night a Red Knot in scope view was a nice little preview of the kind of whoop-ass I'm going to unload next year on you beeches when I lock and load with a new abode. How's that for trash talk (conspicuously absent in recent months)?

Unfortunately, I've also not doing a good job working the swamp lair.....I've lost my mojo, not even a new Pominar has turned the tide. I have been enjoying a flush of wildflowers and butterflies in my "new" prairie. I've also been going ape-shit on the buckthorn. It failed to deliver a mockingbird so now it has to pay the piper.

Round-U.P. ready!

Made it to 65

No warbs to speak of on this GORGEOUS day at The Cheddarlands. But I did eek out three new yard birds:

CLSW #63
RBGU #64
BAEA #65

All of the birds were high flying birds heading due North.

The dam has busted!

Three new year yardbirds today and a host of f.o.s. proves things are on the move. Thank god the bird drought is over! EASO, RSHA & PIWA add up to 147. Warblers of the day were NOWA, WIWA, CAWA, BAWW, MAWA, PIWA & AMRE.

Details here:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S8732796

Come on Irene!

Hurricane Irene delivers yard bird #100 - 6 Forster's Terns miraculously appear from the outer bands of the storm this afternoon.

Was dreaming of a frigatebird, but I'll take 'em.

NOWA is better than later

A big push of birds last night according to radar. Although I didn't get out this morning to survey, this one (#144) joined me for breakfast. While I ate blueberry pancakes it picked off some tasty bugs from the surface of the water feature.

Yard Lifer #62

Lucked into this guy while looking for a calling EAWP. I had a flyover CONI on 22 August but I'll take this obs too.

Nighthawk Lifer Yardbird -- #175

Five or so silhouetted over over Portage Point/Marsh last evening on a big fat rising moon answered the question why I missed this puppy last year.... they migrate through here in mid-August when I'm off banding loons.