Subject: [Tweeters] Morning Migration at Point no Point
Date: Apr 23 22:46:43 2005
From: Wayne C. Weber - contopus at telus.net


Brad, Tweeters, and Whatcom Birders,

This is a remarkable observation. However, there are other places
in western Washington where significant landbird movements over
water can be observed.

Point Roberts in Whatcom County has been one of my favorite
birding spots for almost 40 years. On fall mornings, especially
in September and early October, sizable movements of some
landbird species can be seen as they launch forth toward the
Gulf and San Juan Islands. The first hour or two after dawn is best.

In fall 1969, as a graduate student, I participated in a study of
landbird movements at Point Roberts coordinated by Dr. Rudolf
Drent, then of the University of BC. On several mornings, we saw
significant movement of species like American Pipits, Savannah
Sparrows, Starlings, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and even such
unlikely species as Evening Grosbeaks and Band-tailed Pigeons
heading S or SW. We even saw movements of some supposedly
non-migratory species such as House Finches and House Sparrows (!).

Although I think we saw hundreds of birds some days, we never
saw anything like 5,000 Yellow-rumps!

Because of the geography, Point No Point would logically be best in
spring, and Point Roberts in fall, for seeing these movements.

Has anyone else seen movements like this elsewhere in the Puget
Sound or Georgia Strait area?

Wayne C. Weber
Delta, BC
contopus at telus.net



----- Original Message -----
From: "Brad Waggoner" <wagtail at sounddsl.com>
To: <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Saturday, April 23, 2005 3:40 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] Morning Migration at Point no Point


Hi Tweets,

I had an incredible experience this morning at Point no Point observing
migration in action. I convinced my wife Helen to take our morning weekend
walk out at Foulweather Bluff instead of at our local Bainbridge Island
walking route. I am sure glad we headed that direction. Three circling
Turkey Vultures and one lone Yellow-headed Blackbird in the Hansville area
were an early indication of some migrant bird activity. After an enjoyable
walk at Foulweather Bluff we arrived at Point no Point at about 9:30 A.M..
Immediately after stepping out of the car a flock of 20 Chestnut-backed
Chickadees flew into and then out of a Spruce Tree near the lighthouse
parking area (obviously migrants?!). As I turned my attention to the skies,
I was amazed to see the continuous flight of small passerines slowly heading
north toward Whidbey Island. The birds seemed to struggle somewhat with the
brisk north wind. Most of these birds were low enough to see (& hear) that
they were Yellow-rumped Warblers. So for the next hour and a half, I stood
with my scope and binoculars near the lighthouse watching this incredible
flight of birds. We didn't get much walking in at Point no Point. Here is my
"flyover' count:

1 Peregrine Falcon
10 Bald Eagles
12 Red-tailed Hawks
2 Northern Harriers
4 Coopers Hawks
15 Sharp-shinned Hawks
1 Vaux's Swift was amongst the several hundred flyover swallows
3 Western Kingbirds
5 Mountain Chickadees - these birds actually came into the Pine Trees near
the parking area. The other birds stayed in the air and did not "touch-down'
at the Point.
4 Townsend's Solitaires
100 American Pipits
5,000 Yellow-rumped Warblers - this is actually a conservative estimate.
They were non-stop. I am sure that there were possibly some other warbler
species mixed-in but they would have been difficult to I.D.. A few scattered
flocks of Yellow-rumped Warblers were still passing over as we were leaving
at 11:00 A.M..
250 Brown-headed Cowbirds

At 11: 00 the north wind stopped and things slowed down. It was an amazing
hour and a half.

On our return home, a lone American Kestrel (rare bird for Bainbridge
Island) hovering in a meadow near the highway added to our nice morning
finds.

Happy Spring Migration!!

Brad Waggoner
Bainbridge Island, WA
mailto:wagtail at sounddsl.com


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