This morning was mostly typical for the time of year, with large numbers
(hundreds) of Eastern Kingbirds and Bobolinks moving southward in the early
morning at Sunset Beach, along with the first good push of warblers (first
total count over 100 warblers that I have seen). What was unusual was to see
adult warblers at this time of year, with an adult male Blackburnian and
adult female Canada among the highlights. A splendid juvenile Black-billed
Cuckoo was also unusual (I have seen only three others here in 15 years).
At the Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR, few birds were in evidence, but a
"Traill's" Flycatcher and Dickcissel were both obvious migrants.
Along Arlington Road, six American Golden-Plovers were among the large
flocks of Black-bellieds in harvested wet fields. Still no Buff-breasted
Sandpiper, which is normally seen here this time of year.
Bill Williams, Brian Taber, and Marshall Iliff have documented unusual
passages of Neotropical migrants at this time of year following the passage
of hurricanes, and perhaps today's flight represented a similar eastward
displacement of typical migrants, following extremely strong northwesterly
winds on the heels of Irene's passage.
Terrible to see all the destruction caused by this natural disaster.
Ned Brinkley
Cape Charles, Va.
