Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris)
I have recorded several first-of-year birds for me this week that I missed during spring migration. Today’s haul included three more highlighted by this uncommon Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris) that actually let me photograph it while perched in the shade. For the species…I’ll take it! It is only August and so far the autumn migration has been a blast to see but difficult to shoot. I am still not over raising my camera, focusing, pressing the shutter and missing a Mourning Warbler on a branch in the open eight feet from me by a split second. My thanks...
Read MoreLittle House Wren
Hey little House Wren (Troglodytes aedon), time to get out of here soon! The August migration clock is ticking…and it will be a good time to fly for many birds after today’s cold front. Get outdoors in the next few days to see what has arrived in the morning or to watch the skies for migrant raptors in the afternoons.
Read MoreBlue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)
I mentioned Blue-gray Gnatcatchers (Polioptila caerulea) as a current migrant in a recent post, and I photographed this bird doing just that this morning. The wheezing individual shown here was at a migratory stopover site and may have continued flying not long after I snapped this shot. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are at least partially diurnal migrants, and if you are lucky you can find small flocks of several birds heading south together on a day like this one. August may be the middle of summer to us but it is well into fall for the birds. Safe journey, pretty friend! Keep flashing that tail...
Read MoreYellow Warbler
One benefit from the scorching and inclement weather of the past week was the slow passage of a weak cold front (ha ha, “cold”) that brought us some actually conducive avian migratory conditions. Think about it…when was the last time before this recent August turbulence that we in the Northeast had any winds out of the north? We have had endless southerly or westerly-influenced flows bringing heat, humidity and then thunderstorms and heavy rain, all the opposite of what the birds are looking for to migrate south in this time of year. We are now in mid-August and any time...
Read MoreFledgling Flycatcher
While some Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii) are on the way south, like the bird I posted from last Friday evening, others are still finishing up raising the next generation. I photographed this cute family moment this past weekend while they kept their distance from me – please ignore the annoying branches obscuring the scene. I was happy enough to see that they had not fallen victim to a Brown-headed Cowbird. Good thing there are enough caterpillars to go around…any for me? Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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