Subject: [Tweeters] Battle Ground sightings-- migration??
Date: Aug 5 15:21:37 2008
From: Wayne Weber - contopus at telus.net


Jim and Tweeters,



I would not say that the bird sightings you reported here are necessarily a
sign of early fall migration. Most songbirds have a period of "post-breeding
dispersal" in late summer, after the young have fledged, but before
migration begins in earnest. The young birds (and their parents) may wander
10, 20, or 30 miles from the breeding locality, long before fall migration
begins.



Warbling Vireos may not nest in the immediate vicinity of your yard, but
they are a common breeding species in most of lowland Clark County and
adjacent areas. So are Swainson's Thrushes. Lazuli Buntings, although
probably rare breeders in your area, certainly do attempt to breed; I've
seen a male on territory at the Ridgefield NWR in June, and also in the
northern Willamette Valley.



Shorebirds certainly begin their southward migration by late June-at least
some of them-but most songbirds don't really begin in earnest, at our
latitude, until about mid-August. The distinction between post-breeding
dispersal and fall migration may seem like a fine distinction in some ways,
but I believe it's an important distinction to make.



Wayne C. Weber

Delta, BC

contopus at telus.net







From: tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Jim
Danzenbaker
Sent: August-03-08 11:18 AM
To: tweeters tweeters
Subject: [Tweeters] Battle Ground sightings



Tweeters:



I'm finally home again after being gone for another three weeks. I was
surprised to see signs of early passerine migration near my Battle Ground,
Clark County backyard. Last Friday (August 1), I had several WARBLING
VIREOs (first since early June) working the edge of the woods about 150
yards north of my yard. Yesterday (August 2), they had moved down to my
area and one was in full song! The spot where they were on Friday held two
LAZULI BUNTINGs including one beautiful adult male. As far as I know, the
closest breeding Laz Buntings are in the hills immediately to the East and
around Mt. St. Helens. This morning, there were several RED CROSSBILLs and
one PINE SISKIN that flew overhead and there were several SWAINSON'S
THRUSHes blurping in the area. The Warbling Vireos continued. It's a bit
early for a night flight but I may listen a bit tonight.



Get out there and bird and good luck!



Jim

--
Jim Danzenbaker
Battle Ground, WA
360-723-0345
jdanzenbaker at gmail.com