MIGRATION SUMMARY – AUGUST 22^nd TO 28^th, 2007

Pelee Island Bird Observatory (PIBO)

Migration activity was generally light at the start of the week and then picked up considerably during the final three days of the summary period. Light north winds on August 26^th produced the first significant influx of birds at the station this month, followed by another busy morning on the 27^th when sixty-two species were recorded on the day, including fifteen warbler species. Least Flycatchers, Red-eyed Vireos and Magnolia Warblers were particularly active this week along with a nice variety of other early-Fall migrants.         

August 22^nd

It was warm and humid today and there were few birds in the area apart from small numbers of flycatchers, swallows and warblers. The first Rose-breasted Grosbeak of the Fall was recorded on census along with approximately 700 Common Terns. 

August 23^rd

The wind shifted to the north overnight but steady rain throughout the day limited coverage to just the morning census and some additional observations. Not many birds to report with the exception of a small movement of swallows.     

August 24^th  

A few more migrants in the area this-morning but mostly just in ones-and-twos. A Black-throated Blue Warbler was new for the Fall and a local band of Black-capped Chickadees was active on census and in the netting area. Otherwise, not too much to report.

August 25^th  

Another day of hot humid weather (23° C at dawn), west winds and very little migration activity. The first Mourning Warbler of the fall was one of only four warbler species tallied on the day.

August 26^th

A change in the weather and an increase in bird numbers – sixty-two species were recorded during the morning coverage period. The mist-netting area was a little busier as well with forty-four birds banded of fifteen species, including nine members of the warbler family. Seven flycatcher species were counted along with increased numbers of vireos and thrushes. Black-throated Green, Bay-breasted and Wilson’s Warblers were all new for the Fall.    

August 27^th  

Migrants were active at the station this-morning and lots of birds were recorded both on census and in the netting area. Sixty-two species were documented in the count area and 104 birds of seventeen species were banded in sixty net-hours (1.73 birds/net-hour). Magnolia Warblers were dominant along with smaller numbers of a nice variety of other species including Least Flycatcher, American Redstart, Tennessee, Nashville, Chestnut-sided and Black-and-white Warblers. A banded Blue-winged Warbler and a Scarlet Tanager observed in the netting area were both new for the Fall.

August 28^th

It was another busy morning with seventy-four birds of sixteen species banded and fifty-six species tallied during the official count period. Red-eyed Vireos, Magnolia and Chestnut-sided Warblers were observed in good numbers. Sixty of the seventy-four banded birds were members of the warbler family.  

Eighty-two species were recorded at the Point this week compared to seventy-six last week and fifteen Fall ‘firsts’ were tallied, which brings the season species count to 108. In all, 235 birds were banded and two recaptured during 278 net-hours for a catch-rate of .85 birds/net-hour.

Swainson’s Thrush photo – Christopher Dunn

Next week’s summary will be posted on September 6^th.

Birds Documented at Fish Point                    August 22^nd – 28^th, 2007