Male Common Yellowthroat (Photo by Miriam Avello
The overnight radar loops continued to show influxes of birds coming into the area from the east; either the Bahamas or eastern Cuba. These flocks were settling onto Cape Florida and immediately getting down to the business of feeding. Strangler figs packed with fruit and newly leafed out gumbo limbos crawling with caterpillars were ready for them.
The wind had shifted around to the north from being west to northwest the past two days, but the birds kept coming in on May 10 and May 11. One last Gray Catbird was banded on the 10th, probably the last one we will see until October, when they return to spend the winter. Redstarts and Yellowthroats leveled off, and Blackpolls finally started arriving. They stuck to the tops of the trees, with the glaring exception of a flock of 5 females that were caught together in the same net. Northern Waterthrush picked up the pace, and their numbers increased daily. They came in a distinct wave around mid-morning on the 10th, but dozens were arriving at sunrise on the 11th.
But mostly the Connecticut Warblers arrived. They have a narrow window when they migrate through our area, peaking in the second week of May. We usually band at least one, but birders can easily miss seeing them in spring. But every once in a while the weather cooperates to bring us a bunch. We banded 3 on the 10th, 4 on the 11th, and 8 on the 12th! The total of 18 Connecticuts banded since May 5 eclipses the previous record of 15 from 2007. And we still have 3 more days!
Male Connecticut Warbler (photo by Miriam Avello
Thrushes are here, too, and a Veery was banded along with 5 Bicknell’s Thrush yesterday and today. We have not banded any Gray-cheeked Thrush or intergrades yet. Bicknell’s winter exclusively in the Greater Antilles while the Gray-cheeks go down to South America. They can be very difficult to separate from the (usually) more common Gray-cheeked Thrush, but it can be done in the field by song and in the hand by smaller measurements and a warm rufous tone to the upperparts.
A pair of Bicknell’s Thrush in the hand at the same time! Note the warmer tones than Gray-cheeked Thrush, and the lack of the buffy eye-ring that Swainson’s Thrush have. (Photo by Rangel Diaz)
