I continue to have no hearings or sightings of White-throateds within my very
localized area of Arlington since last Friday, May 2, so I am holding to my
earlier "LOS." Yet I have seen the numerous reports of non-LOS including well
south of here, and this has spurrred me to reflect. Upon reflection, I realize
that I have the strong impression that here was a sort of local band of
White-throateds (on the order of 50-100 or so birds) that seemed to take up
winter residence in my neighborhood and part of adjoining Glencarlyn Park/Long
Branch Nature Center in Arlington. The impression of winter site fidelity was
formed by fairly reliable sightings and hearings of the birds in the same
places at the same times. Especially of note would be evening round-ups of the
birds calling back and forth from the same shelter spots while the light faded.
*ALL* of these birds are gone. So my conjecture is that there are loose
assemblages at least of White-throateds that hang together in wintering grounds
and perhaps then head north together, and that my local band has done so; and
that it happens that I haven't caught any transient migrants passing through
since "my" band left after Friday. I have not researched to examine whether
there is any documented support for my conjecture, but I offer it knowing that
the community wisdom of VA-Bird will weigh in on this. Comments welcome and of
particular interest to me whether anyone has documented anything that supports
or refutes my conjecture. Cheers,
??? ?? Steve
??? ?? Glencarlyn, Arlington
