I managed to get almost all the way through September without comment....
September was rather disappointing. Aside from a CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER seen on Wireless Rd during the North American Migration Count, the southbound migration was less than spectacular. There were intermittent mobs of SOOTY SHEARWATERS (up to 200,000) seen from various locations between Seaside and the South Jetty and BROWN PELICANS have been conspicuous. But late-migration shorebirds have been much lower than average and passerine migrations have been spotty.
Winter residents returned on time or perhaps a bit early, GOLDEN-CROWNED and FOX SPARROWS, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS and HERMIT THRUSHES are all present and accounted for. The first low elevations VARIED THRUSHES are also around.
The first "winter" storm of the season blew in yesterday with winds around 20mph and some rain. If this keeps up it'll be amphibain counting season pretty soon.
Posted by mbalame at September 30, 2005 3:37 PM