Good day all
Started my fall birding season a little early yesterday (I usually don't start until the 15th or so) and a few good things were found including a couple of Black-billed Cuckoos, 3 Green Herons, 2 Great Egrets, Cooper's Hawk, Northern Harrier, lots of Barn and Bank Swallows, at total of 37 Eastern Kingbirds and 12 Warbling Vireos.
The bird banding station on Peninsula D is up and running again for the fall season and they banded an early Yellow-rumped Warbler and a Wood Thrush yesterday. Be sure if you go to The Spit that you do not unduly disturb the banders and please stay away from the mist nets. The birds that you may see tangled in the nets are not in danger and the banders retrieve them frequently so they are not left in the nets too long.
One thing that you will notice is the fantastic foilage growth on The Spit. There are many wildflowers along the roads to see and enjoy. Along the few trails (and elseware) be aware that there has also been a fantastically good season for Red Ants :x . If you can spray your pant cuffs and socks do so as they have a nasty habit of crawling up the legs and the bites are not pleasant to say the least. There is no Ant problem on the main road or the Outer Arm and The Flats (Yet).
From now until it tails off in late November migration will pick up considerable after next weekend with many Warbler and Flycatchers passing through. Shorebird habitat is not so good down there right now due to the high water but watch for some on The Flats and some of the small beach areas along the Outer Arm.
