For the first time, a Fall Big Day for birding was held on 10/6/18. Since my last post, I have continued to see warblers and other migrants come through, so I was determined to add to the worldwide count of birds seen on that day. Documenting the birds through eBird contributes to research data at the Cornell Lab. Photos that are included go into the Macaulay Library and may be featured on the Cornell website.

Here is more info on Big Day:   October Big Day

My checklist can be seen here:   Big Day checklist for Shady Oaks

Reporting birds means keeping a count of each species to get the highest number seen at one point during the time one is birding. It was a long day, nearly 12 hours. In other words, a "Big Sit". The joint was hopping! I was prepared with all of my usual provisions and very excited to see a new bird for the season come in, a Golden-crowned Kinglet.

Golden-crowned Kinglet 10-6-18Golden-crowned Kinglet on perch near our bubbler

Golden-crowned Kinglet 10-6-18Golden-crowned Kinglet on cedar perch. Golden-crowned Kinglet 10-6-18

I've also been hearing and seeing a Red-breasted Nuthatch, a personal favorite. They are an irruptive species and do not come this far south every year, so it's a special treat to have them around!

Red-breasted Nuthatch 10-6-18

There were nine warbler species seen that day. Only one evaded sitting for my required passport photo! It was a female Common Yellowthroat who was busy foraging in the garden. Here is a photo of one taken a few years back.

A Northern Waterthrush was still here.

Northern Waterthrush 10-6-18Northern Waterthrush at our bubbler.

Black-throated Greens and a Black-and-white were also present. 

Black-throated Green Warbler 10-6-18 Black-and-white Warbler 10-6-18Black-and-white Warbler bathing in our bubbler.

A Chestnut-sided Warbler came by.

10-6-18-7169 CH Sided W.jpgChestnut-sided Warbler bathing in our bubbler pond.

A probable female American Redstart checked out the bubbler and a male got in for a bath.

10-6-18-7171 Am Redstart.jpgAmerican Redstart on branch at our bubbler.

10-6-18-7351 AM RedstartMale American Redstart in our bubbler.
 

A Bay-breasted Warbler also took advantage of the basin.

Bay-breasted Warbler 10-6-18Bay-breasted Warbler bathing in our bubbler.
 

Magnolia Warblers were seen all through the day and this was the only one I managed to photograph. They were hungry!

10-6-18-7383 Magnolia W.Magnolia Warbler in Sugar Maple.

So, the mesmerizing Bubbler continues to draw birds and other creatures to it. It will have its 18th anniversary on 10/25/18. 

Mesmerizing Bubble 10-5-18

We continue to see deer, raccoons, opossum, and on the first of the month, a beauty of a fox came to drink. It takes my breath away to see one! May you all experience a nature-full fall season.

Fox 10-1-18