Golden Triange Audubon Bird Alert Update -- April 18, 2010

The question of the day was: where did all the birds come from?  As darkness fell last evening (Saturday April 17), there were very few birds in Sabine Woods.  This morning (Sunday), the woods were teeming with migrants.  Were perhaps these birds that had diverted to the west (to the Lower and Central Texas Coast) in the past two or three days because of mid-Gulf weather that flew across to the area overnight to regain their track?

 

Most numerous were Red-eyed Vireos (with White-eyed not far behind).  There were lots of warblers, and the list at the shelter had 24 species for the day.  We were able to find 21 of these ourselves.  One or perhaps as many as three male Cerulean Warblers attracted the most attention. But Blue-winged Warblers, notable absent previously this season were seen in good numbers.  Black-and-white Warblers had been strangely absent for a couple of days but returned in force.  But there were only one or two Black-throated Green Warblers.  Tennessee Warbler numbers seemingly increased markedly during the day, and Prothonotary Warblers, some singing, and many well up in the trees were easy to find.  There were male and female Blackpoll Warblers.  There were lots of Worm-eating Warblers.  One Swainson's Warbler was seen very briefly.  There were several Northern Waterthrushes, and one classic Louisiana Waterthrush.  Palm warblers were down to "only" about three.  Wood Thrushes were again common, with smaller numbers of both Swainson's and Gray-cheeked Thrushes.  Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were everywhere.  There were some Orioles, including one male Baltimore Oriole, but numbers were very modest for mid April.  Scarlet Tanager outnumbered Summer Tanager by a substantial margin, but both were easy to find.  A few Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were seen. However, they do not appear to be staying at the Woods, only stopping by for a few minutes, even though there are mulberries on the large tree in the east.  The male Bronzed Cowbird was seen yet again. A Merlin is still being seen regularly, and we thought we heard a Kiskadee in the morning.  Most unusual bird was a Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco!

 

After the last few days, we are extremely hesitant to make any predictions for tomorrow.  The winds at Merida are north but light (7 mph), and the forecast winds over the Gulf at the surface and at 3000 feet, while not at all strong, do have a significant northerly component.  Currently there is no disturbed weather over the Gulf or the Yucatan Peninsula.  The disturbed weather that was over the local area today appears to have mostly dissipated, and there is little that would tend to dissuade birds from leaving the coastal woodlots this evening to continue their journey.

 

John A. Whittle