Golden Triangle Audubon Bird Alert -- May 17, 2010
In keeping with the unusual nature of this spring migration season, migrants have been frequenting Sabine Woods with surprising diversity of species throughout the month. Blackburnian, Blackpoll, Bay-breasted Warblers were seen May 15/16 along with the more expected Redstarts, Chestnut Sided and Northern Waterthrush. Empidonax flycatchers are passing through, as well as Olive-sided and Great Crested Flycatchers. There are still many Swainson's Thrushes in the woods. There is still a flock of about 30 Cedar Waxwings hanging round the woods, and there is a flock still frequenting the Lamar area of Beaumont. There was a Couch's or Tropical Kingbird, actually showing more of the field marks characteristics of Tropical (long thinner bill; gray back) at the end of the paved section of the road in McFaddin NWR on Sunday.
Unfortunately, the rain, very, very welcome as it is, has led to an increased presence of insects, although the situation was still tolerable up through Sunday. Shorebird migration continues, and there are many to be seen in Cattail Marsh if you undertake the long walk to the cell 4 on the north side in the back. We have no reports from west Jefferson County, but there doubtless are shorebirds there too.
John A. Whittle
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