Light easterly winds and clear skies made for a somewhat slower morning at Sunset Beach, though as always there were still some birds on the move including a few more first-of-seasons. Totals of 45 species and 1608 individuals were counted.
Today featured the expected blend of light morning flight and forward migration associated with a calm day following a significant flight two nights ago, with generally diminished numbers and diversity compared to yesterday. Both nocturnal and diurnal migrants were moving in both directions as birds milled around the tip of the peninsula on very light winds. The most numerous migrant counted was Blue Jay, totaling 571 southbound and 228 northbound individuals as flocks streamed by towards the tip of the peninsula while others reversed course. There was a modest flight of 90 Northern Flickers as well, 75 of which were southbound. Yellow-rumped Warblers were primarily southbound, with 119 south and 24 northbound. By contrast, 44 of the day’s 50 Northern Parulas were northbound. First-of-seasons for the count were represented by six northbound Eastern Meadowlarks and a northbound calling Pine Siskin.
The Kiptopeke Hawkwatch had a solid flight, similar to yesterday but slower overall, totaling 477 raptors. There were more pockets of low birds today for a bit of change of pace. In keeping with previous days, Sharp-shinned Hawks led the flight with 164, followed by 111 American Kestrels, and 107 Cooper’s Hawks. Of note, the hawkwatch cracked a thousand Blue Jays, totaling 1095.
5 new Monarchs were captured released with BlūMorpho transmitters today. These new additions are CVWO-Sabrina, CVWO-Tammy, CVWO-Kristen, CVWO-Aharon, and CVWO-Ariella. CVWO-NonnieWayOut was deployed yesterday making 6 total active monarchs on the shore. Favorable Northeast winds are predicted Friday so this Monarch posse may utilize these conditions to move south and cross the bay. In the meantime, CVWO-Stephen has made significant progress and is now South of Raleigh, NC. His journey now totals 287 km in a direct line from Kiptopeke State Park.
Southwest winds overnight should stall out most nocturnal migration, though if winds are light during the day a few raptors could be moving and flying lower.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog
And
follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261007
