Bird Alert - October 1, 2007

Recent reports from Sabine Woods indicate continued passage of migrants through the area.  Friday September 27 was reported as good with 16 warbler species (including an "early" for the location Pine Warbler), and a female Western Tanager. Warbling and Red-eyed Vireos were seen. A Veery and an early Blue-headed Vireo were seen at the Willows at Sea Rim.  Two Crested Caracara and two White-tailed Hawk were seen along Highway 87 between Sabine Woods and Sea Rim. There were reports of a Whip-poor-will (in Sabine Woods) and early Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows in the walk-in northern section of Texas Point NWR.

On Saturday September 29th, eleven or twelve species of warbler were seen, mostly in the course of Brent Ortego's banding demonstration. During his demonstration, which extended into Sunday morning, Brent captured a good number of Empidonax flycatchers, more Yellow-bellied than any other species, with Least next, but including one Traill's and an Acadian. Notable among the warblers were a large number of Wilson's Warblers.

Sunday September 30 was less birdy with only about nine species of warblers recorded.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are still coming through in fair numbers, and a large number of Chimney Swifts is still being seen overhead in the evenings.

John A. Whittle