Chirps and Cheeps

I've been trying to check our yard and woods just about every day during fall migration to see and record what's been coming through during this year.  I've been amazed that every day has been a little different from the day before - and I'm also surprised at the migrants I've seen.

Just recently, I found my first Hermit Thrush in our yard. Actually, the day I found one, I found THREE!  I also found another Swainson's that day as well, which is on the late side for that species. I was surprised that our little woods was entertaining four thrushes that day.  They lingered for a few days too, sticking primarily in the wooded areas,  and I was very happy that I was able to get some pretty decent photos of them.

Both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kingets have been coming through quite regularly as well. On some days, I've seen as many as eight of each species at a time.  I've found them throughout the woods as well as in some of the yard trees.  I'm getting quite familiar with their calls now too, which is so nice for me to know what it is that I should be looking for.

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Brown Creepers, White-throated Sparrows, and Yellow-rumped Warblers have been coming through as well.  The latter three have been the most recent visitors, not in any great numbers, but fairly often.

I'm also quite sure I saw a Merlin fly over the yard the other day too!  I didn't make an eBird entry, though, as I would have liked to have gotten my binoculars on the bird just to be 100% sure.  It had the pointed wings and streaked underside of a falcon, flew fast and direct, didn't have much coloration like a kestrel and was too small to be a Peregrine.  I sure wish I could have gotten those bins on it faster, though!

All in all, it's been a great fall in our woods but alas, the window of fall migration is closing quickly and soon, we'll be shoveling snow and wishing for spring!