We spent the long weekend at our place on upper Cedar Creek in Shenandoah
County. I birded on our property and nearby perhaps a total of 6 hours over
the
course of the 3 days. Results were very disappointing in terms of migration.
We tallied only 33 species, which is only slightly higher than the summer
residents. Indeed, most of the species were either full-time or summer
species.
The only "visitors" were one nighthawk, a Magnolia Warbler, a redstart, and 3
yellowthroats. The latter two species both breed locally, so really only the
first two can be considered passage migrants. Even some of our summer species
like Indigo Buntings were absent which is unusually early for that. Usually
by Labor Day weekend, we are starting to see many more species, including a
number of real passage migrants. I have no good explanation except the
possibility that an early Labor Day may have made some difference, but that
would only
be a few days. Fall is normally far better there than spring; only time will
tell.
Dave Davis
Arlington and Cedar Creek
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