Sunday, August 31, 2014

End of August Brings a Few Surprises

This week brought a brief cold front, but the majority of the week was hot and humid with no favorable winds for migration in the Lake Erie Marsh Region. A few migrants did filter in bringing our first Swainson's Thrush, Hermit Thrush, and multiple Veeries. Fourteen species of warbler were observed and/or captured this week including Ovenbird (OVEN), Northern Waterthrush (NOWA), Black-and-white Warbler (BAWW), Prothonotary Warbler (PROW), Tennessee Warbler (TEWA), Mourning Warbler (MOWA), Common Yellowthroat (COYE), American Redstart (AMRE), Magnolia Warbler (MAWA), Bay-breasted Warbler (BBWA), Blackburnian Warbler (BLBW), Black-throated Blue Warbler (BTBW), Canada Warbler (CAWA), and Wilson's Warbler (WIWA).


Philadelphia and Warbling Vireo Comparisons

Philadelphia Vireo (PHVI): Note yellow throat and chest

PHVI: Note darker cap emphasizing lighter superciliary line above eye


Warbling Vireo (WAVI): Superciliary line not as apparent (white) on WAVI 

WAVI: Note throat and belly are whitish on WAVI not lemon yellow like the PHVI
While comparing vireos, here are a couple of warblers that could be confused with vireos at first glance:
TEWA: Note bill and head shape that helps separate this from a vireo

BTBW (female): Note bill shape and wing marking
One of the highlights of the week, as shared by volunteer Laura Gooch
After-second-year female Cooper's Hawk with dark cap and orange eyes
Laura captured the best shot of the bird flying away.
Note the band on its leg!
 Next week's forecast appears to be more of the same weather patterns with no apparent cold fronts moving through NW Ohio. Fall migration has begun and one never knows the surprises that await those that get outside. Explore your favorite birding spots and enjoy the first week of September!

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