MIGRATION SUMMARY – SEPTEMBER 5^th – 11^th, 2007

Pelee Island Bird Observatory (PIBO)

A mixture of rain, warm temperatures and southerly winds made for a quiet time at the Point this week. There were few migrants about with the exception of Swainson’s Thrushes and small numbers of vireos and warblers. Seventy-one species were tallied during the summary period, for instance, compared to ninety species during the same period last Fall – just twelve warbler spp. were recorded verses twenty-two in 2006.        

September 5^th   

South winds, 22° C at dawn, and not much activity apart from a group of Sanderlings at the Tip and a few Swainson’s Thrushes in the netting area. Most of the local breeding birds have departed and there was not much to take their place – just twenty-nine species were recorded in the count area.

September 6^th  

Similar conditions to the preceding day with even less activity – nine birds captured during sixty net-hours of operation and only twenty-seven species noted on the day.  

September 7^th    

Strong southwest winds this-morning with little bird news to report.

September 8^th    

Another warm, quiet morning with very little activity – a ‘Western’ Palm Warbler observed on census was new for the Fall along with ‘firsts’ for Northern Pintail and American Kestrel. While there were no birds for the banding demonstration, a jolly group of forty visitors enjoyed bbq’d Mennonite sausages and a visit to the netting area as part of the Pelee Island Heritage Weekend event. Many thanks to everyone who helped make the day a big success, even without the birds!   

September 9^th   

Lots of rain this-morning and not much to report apart from 3000 Double-crested Cormorants counted on census along with small numbers of four raptor species.  

September 10^th

It was more active today, with forty-five species recorded and sixty-three birds banded during the morning count period – thrushes accounted for two-thirds of the banded birds. At the same time, the quiet pace this Fall continues when compared to previous coverage seasons – last year, for instance, sixty-four species were tallied on September 10^th, including nineteen warbler spp., compared to forty-five species and eight warbler spp. noted this September.    

September 11^th   

It was raining this-morning and there were just a few thrushes and warblers in the area. The wind picked-up in the afternoon and was very strong from the northwest by dusk. Twenty birds of four species were captured during sixty net-hours of operation.    

Seventy-one species were recorded at the Point this week compared to ninety last week and three Fall ‘firsts’ were tallied, which brings the season species count to 120. In all, 109 birds were banded and three recaptured during 187 net-hours for a catch-rate of .58 birds/net-hour.

Tennessee Warbler photo – Christopher Dunn

Next week’s summary will be posted on September 20^th.

Birds Documented at Fish Point   September 5^th – 11^th, 2007