Pioneer Birding: MA - late afternoon rush

Friday, September 6, 2013

MA - late afternoon rush - 09/06

After my post concerning a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher in our yard this morning, I wasn't expecting the need for a second post today. But late this afternoon there was a very nice 'surge' of migrants, again our in yard on Main Road, Gill, these being highlighted to by two Philadelphia Vireos as well as a couple of Red-eyed Vireos and a singing Warbling Vireo. The Philly Vireos were both typically active behaving much like kinglets with frequent hovering. One was rather drab with most of the yellow on the throat and upper breast and the other very bright with a stronger yellow suffusion on the whole of underparts. Two rather sluggish Red-eyed Vireos provided a nice, close comparison.

Philadelphia Vireos - Gill yard, Franklin Co., MA. September 6th, 2013.

Canon Powershot G10.

Flycatcher activity improved from the morning with a couple of Least Flycatchers, the continuing Willow/Alder Flycatcher, a juvenile Eastern Phoebe and an Eastern Wood Pewee. Warblers included 3 American Redstarts and a surprise male Black-throated Blue Warbler, a species which we've seen just a couple of times in the yard to date, and a smart Chestnut-sided Warbler. Veery and Hermit Thrush also appeared simultaneously. Earlier in the afternoon, a reasonably large wave of about 65 Common Grackles 'swept' through the yard, only staying for about five minutes.