Bird count updates from Jonathan Irons 2022 Special Projects Turkey Point Bird Count 2022

Late August Updates from Turkey Point: 8/21-8/31/2022

Black-throated Green Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler © Jonathan Irons

Fall passerine migration really kicked in the last 10 days of August and is now in full swing here at Turkey Point. On days with favorable conditions, most of the expected warblers this time of year are streaming by in good numbers. On the 25th, light north winds and clear, cool conditions brought the first surge of later season warblers past the point, including the first Bay-breasted and Black-throated Green Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and a good flight of Cape May Warblers.

 A young male Rose-breasted Grosbeak
A young male Rose-breasted Grosbeak © Jonathan Irons

Besides the favorable conditions on August 25th, the last week of the month was warm, muggy, and dominated by light east or south winds. However, there are always a few migrants trickling past the point each day, regardless of weather. A surprise flight of over 50 Baltimore Orioles on the 29th definitely kept spirits high on an otherwise slow day. After that one good flight, they seem to be thinning out and most of our Orchard Orioles are long gone.  Another species that has just about disappeared from the point is Yellow Warbler. Some days in the first week of the count, over 20 would head past the point, but now its down to 1 or 2 on a good day. These guys will be coming through in small numbers until the beginning of October, but we have definitely past their peak.

Baltimore Oriole
Baltimore Oriole © Jonathan Irons

One species that has made a strong impression at the point this season is Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. No matter the conditions, droves of these guys are always on the move past the point. Similar to swallows, Gnatcatchers love to fly into the wind. It could be blowing 20 out of the northwest, and flocks of up to 20 will come down along the eastern edge of the Turkey Point peninsula and once they reach the point, turn and head directly into the wind. One must pity them as they struggle into a stiff headwind, flapping as hard as they can but barely moving. It seems they enjoy it though. Even on days with light winds, they will climb hundreds of feet in the air and haphazardly fly into whatever breeze there is, making no progress. They are probably trying to gauge how far the land is across the Elk River, but apparently, it’s too far for them as I have yet to see one pull off a crossing.

A pair of Gnatcatchers after a mid-air tussle
A pair of Gnatcatchers after a mid-air tussle © Jonathan Irons

Besides the usual suspects that move past the Point everyday, a few less common species have paid me a visit since August 21st. A few of those notables include 2 Dickcissels, 7 Black Terns, a Red-necked Phalarope, and a surprising number of Bonaparte’s Gulls and Myrtle Warblers.

Myrtle Warbler
Myrtle Warbler © Jonathan Irons

Be sure to check in on trektellen every morning to see live updates from the Point so you don’t miss anything that isn’t covered here on the blog. Hopefully temps will begin to cool as September is upon us, and I am looking forward to what a new month will bring to Turkey Point.

Thanks for reading and happy birding!

Jonathan

A crisp looking Bank Swallow
A crisp looking Bank Swallow © Jonathan Irons

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