It's been an average fall at Rocky Point. Dan Derbyshire, the bander in
charge, has been there with a small core of volunteers since late July.
The season will be winding down shortly. About 1600 birds have been
banded to date. The highest catches have been:
230+ WILSON'S WARBLERS
215+ PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS, including an amazing 52 birds caught in a
single day in late August
130+ ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS
115+ LINCOLN'S SPARROWS

Yesterday (September 25, 1999) Dan called be to say that although they had
only caught about 5 birds that day, a seawatch and hawk watch proved very
productive. Highlights included:
20 SOOTY SHEARWATERS
1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK
2 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS
1 LONG-TAILED JAEGER
2 SABINE'S GULLS
2 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES

TURKEY VULTURES are at their normal late September numbers - about 500
birds are present.


Michael G. Shepard
Victoria, BC
mgs at orcatec.com