Migration Begins...

Rufous Hummers have finally left for the summer - a sure sign that migration has begun.  They were around constantly as recently as a few weeks ago, going through a full cup of sugar-water in just a few days.  Our immediate area also hosted a Western Wood-pewee for a week or so at the end of last month.  It could be heard singing rather loudly from treetops around the yard in the mornings and evenings - and the keen eye could observe it chasing down insects from atop its perch.  But it too has moved on to warmer climates.

Another sign of the approaching Fall is the flocking of some species, particularly finches.  Lesser Goldfinches have been showing up in signficantly-increased numbers, up from 3-4 (usually a max of 7 with fledglings) to 10-15 regularly.  Flocks of Bushtits have also been observed in increased numbers over the past month or so, with anywhere from 7-20 at a time raiding the suet feeders.


Lesser Goldfinches are constantly around these days...


... and crowding the tube feeders so badly that others, such as this Red-breasted Nuthatch, are relegated to their second-favorite feeders.

Late Summer/early Autumn is also the time when some species travel together in mixed flocks.  An example of this, seen earlier today, was a lone female/juvenile Pine Siskin feeding with a flock of ~10 Lessers.  I had not seen one in the area since May and hope that I'll get to see many more later this year.


Pine Siskin (lower left perch) with a flock of Lesser Goldfinches.

Next time, I hope to report the return of Dark-eyed Juncos, who I've seen very little of this summer.  I've found this somewhat surprising, as the Willamette Valley has one of the largest Junco populations in the nation.

• Posted at Tuesday, September 4, 2007 11:30 PM
• In General Category | Permalink