The first full week of October marked the close of another chapter in Neotropical bird migration, with the season’s final sightings of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Baltimore Orioles, Yellow-breasted Chats, Veeries, as well as early-season warblers. As these migrants trailblazed south towards their wintering grounds, late-season species continued moving through the banding station.
Sunday began with intermittent rain showers, while Gray Catbirds, Common Yellowthroats, and Northern Waterthrushes continued to pass through the station. Monday’s bird forecast looked lackluster, but the birds had other plans! To everyone’s surprise, the station recorded 287 new birds across 31 species, keeping the crew on their feet. First-of-season captures included an Orange-crowned Warbler, Savannah Sparrow, and Eastern Towhee. Towhees are a large, atypical sparrow known for its distinctive song, often remembered by the mnemonic “Drink your tea!”
With predicted northwest winds exceeding 10 mph overnight across the Mid-Atlantic, everyone braced themselves for Tuesday’s forecasted “red alert” migration event. And it sure delivered! Tuesday surpassed Monday’s numbers with an astounding 297 new birds. Leading the day’s captures was an early push of Myrtle Warblers, with plenty more expected to come. Before the banders knew it, the “swampocalypse” had arrived, with a whopping 73 Swamp Sparrows passing through the station! First-of-season captures also included a Blue-headed Vireo and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.
A calm, clear Wednesday morning brought another 170 new birds, including 88 more Myrtle Warblers and a first-of-season White-crowned Sparrow. By Thursday, the day’s totals began to reflect the shifting composition of late-season migration, with a first-of-season Chipping Sparrow. Friday delivered an astounding 138 Myrtle Warblers and three more first-of-season captures: Golden-crowned Kinglet, Marsh Wren, and Pine Warbler. Believe it or not, the station typically averages just one Pine Warbler capture per year! This bird was particularly special for Axel, one of the head banders, marking his first-in-hand encounter with the species and giving him the opportunity to band one himself. Congratulations, Axel!
Myrtle Warblers continued to dominate Saturday’s captures, accounting for 76% of the day’s 180 bird total. Mourning Doves remained a sporadic presence throughout the season, with Saturday’s capture marking the station’s fourth individual banded this fall. Though frequently seen around Cape May and beyond, they can be surprisingly tricky to handle, as they readily shed feathers when stressed!
To close out an exciting week, a Connecticut Warbler was resighted at the Cape May Bird Observatory’s Northwood Center, sending the birding community into a mad dash for a glimpse. Those with patience (and sheer luck) were rewarded with excellent looks at this elusive migrant! Even as some of our familiar fall migrants begin to depart, Cape May continues to offer plenty of surprises as sparrow season unfolds.
American Redstart photo by Vicki Morgan
Black-throated Green
Blue-headed Vireo photo by Vicki Morgan
Brown Creeper photo by Vicki Morgan
Chipping Sparrow photo by Vicki Morgan
Indigo Bunting photo by Vicki Morgan
Mourning Dove photo by Vicki Morgan
Orange-crowned Warbler photo by Vicki Morgan
Pine Warbler photo by Vicki Morgan
All bird capture, handling, and banding are authorized under appropriate USGS state and federal permits.
