Columbia Estuary Report 9/21/1999

The news this week is in what and is not happening for
fall migration. A movement of AMERICAN KESTRELS has been
evident over the last several days. GOLDEN-CROWNED
SPARROWS arrived over the weekend. AMERICAN PIPITS,
warblers, and SAVANNAH SPARROWS have been showing
migratory pulses. Many warbler species are still being
seen in numbers much greater than would be typical for
most years (WILSON'S in particular and WARBLING VIREO
which is not a warbler, actually, but you know what I
Mean).

Shorebird numbers have been less than spectacular with
the exception of BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS which seem to be in
unusually high numbers and hanging around past peaks from
previous years.

Missing (running late?) are YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, RUBY-
CROWNED KINGLETS and LAPLAND LONGSPURS. It's shaping up
to a strange fall migration pattern
--
Mike Patterson
Expounder of Scientific Wisdom
Astoria High School

He that troubleth his own house
Shall inherit the wind."
Proverbs 11:29