Friday, August 27, 2010

Olive-sided Flycatcher; Wilson's Phalarope; Buff-breasted Sandpiper

[Conspicuous atop a snag in late August. . .check any such bird. This Olive-sided Flycatcher was at Villas WMA tonight, along the paved path in the southeastern part of the tract.]

Tom Johnson had a Wilson's Phalarope this afternoon, last seen flying towards the Beanery from Cape May Point State Park. Not to be outdone, the CMBO evening South Cape May Meadows walk tonight found a Buff-breasted Sandpiper on the beach, reports Karl Lukens. Hmmm. . .Yellow-headed Blackbirds last week, Buff-breasted this week, might be time to join that walk. . .

I went looking for Zugenruhe, or "migration restlessness" at the Villas WMA tonight, and "all" I found was an Olive-sided Flycatcher, a couple Blue-winged Teal, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Bluebird, Green Heron, a bunch of juv. Chipping Sparrows, &c. No sign of pre-migratory excitement, such as warblers actively feeding and chasing each other. However, what little wind there will be tonight is forecast to be out of the north or northwest, it will be clear & down around 59 degrees, and the radar shows birds getting up. . .tomorrow will be worth investigating for migrants.

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