9-22-24 Autumn has arrived!

September 23, 2024  •  Leave a Comment

Fall Equinox

Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 7:43 a.m. CST

9-22-24  Barred Owl9-22-24 Barred Owl
On this first day of fall, shortly after 8 a.m. Dan spotted this Barred Owl in a small green ash about 15 feet out from the gazebo. It was a very wet bird as we had gratefully gotten nearly 2 inches of rain overnight. It sat in the tree for a few hours, scanning for vole activity. A sure sign of fall is seeing these owls on a gray day. 

 

9-6-24 American Redstart9-6-24 American Redstart 9-6-24 American Redstart9-6-24 American Redstart

American Redstarts, female and male, have been seen regularly this month. 

 

9-7-24 FOS Swainson's Thrush9-7-24 FOS Swainson's Thrush

The first Swainson's Thrush came in on 9-7-24 and stopped in briefly at the bubbler just after sunrise. 

 

9-7-24 American Redstart9-7-24 American Redstart

American Redstart female checking me out.

 

9-12-24 Magnolia Warbler in Smooth Hydrangea9-12-24 Magnolia Warbler in Smooth Hydrangea

A shy Magnolia Warbler foraged in the smooth hydrangeas. What gives it away? The 'tail dipped in ink', which is diagnostic for this species.

 

9-14-24 Bay-breasted Warbler9-14-24 Bay-breasted Warbler 9-14-24 Bay-breasted Warbler9-14-24 Bay-breasted Warbler 9-15-24 American Redstart9-15-24 American Redstart 9-15-24 American Redstart9-15-24 American Redstart

Yes, you know these by now. Bay-breasted Warbler and American Redstart.

 

9-16-24 Ruby-throated Hummingbird with deformed mandible9-16-24 Ruby-throated Hummingbird with deformed mandible 9-16-24 Ruby-throated Hummingbird with deformed mandible9-16-24 Ruby-throated Hummingbird with deformed mandible

What we see in nature is sometimes sad and disturbing. This Ruby-throated Hummingbird had a dislocated lower mandible. So many questions about this bird, and the outcome did not look good as its tongue may dry out, according to my friend and hummingbird bander, Lanny Chambers. I watched the bird for just a few minutes and haven't seen it again, but thought the experience was important to share.

  9-17-24 Magnolia Warbler in Blackhaw9-17-24 Magnolia Warbler in Blackhaw

Here's a Magnolia Warbler viewed from the front as it foraged along a branch in a Blackhaw Viburnum. Most warblers have been staying half hidden like this one, and their fall plumage helps them to blend in.

 

9-17-24 Chickadee and Bay-breasted Warbler9-17-24 Chickadee and Bay-breasted Warbler 9-17-24 Chickadee and Bay-breasted Warbler9-17-24 Chickadee and Bay-breasted Warbler 9-17-24 Two Bay-breasted Warblers9-17-24 Two Bay-breasted Warblers

This pair of Bay-breasted Warblers were back again, challenged by the chickadee. The male has the richer bay color on its flanks.

  9-17-24 American Redstart9-17-24 American Redstart

Another American Redstart, or is it the same one coming in again? I scratch my head a lot when it seems the same birds are moving around the neighborhood and returning.

  9-18-24 Bay-breasted Warbler9-18-24 Bay-breasted Warbler 9-18-24 Bay-breasted Warbler9-18-24 Bay-breasted Warbler

The Bay-breasted Warbler is considered uncommon, though they sure do show up here.

 

9-21-24 Swainson's Thrush9-21-24 Swainson's Thrush 9-21-24 Swainson's Thrush9-21-24 Swainson's Thrush 9-21-24 Swainson's Thrush9-21-24 Swainson's Thrush

On the last day of summer, another Swainson's Thrush came to bathe and sure seemed to enjoy itself. 

 

9-21-24 Bay-breasted Warbler9-21-24 Bay-breasted Warbler 9-21-24 Bay-breasted Warblers- female and male9-21-24 Bay-breasted Warblers- female and male

About 5:00 p.m. that same day, the pair of Bay-breasted Warblers were back again.

  9-22-24  Barred Owl9-22-24 Barred Owl

And on Sunday, the Barred Owl finally turned and perked up as activity picked up in the woodland. It flew to a sugar maple then to a larger green ash for different vantage points before heading to another patch of oaks nearby.

 

9-22-24 Bay-breasted Warbler9-22-24 Bay-breasted Warbler

And the first warbler of fall was none other than, you guessed it, a Bay-breasted! Yes, some falls are like this, but there are still large numbers of birds to come. Stay tuned!

 

 

 


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