Montrose: the “best day of fall so far”
Chicago, IL
Tuesday 29 September 2020
75 °F
It sure has been a crazy couple of days of birding, adventure, and herping. And boy am I behind on posting about some epic birding! Thursday morning, Montrose birder Bob Hughes pronounced it the “best day of the season” for Montrose yet, so of course I was over there around noon for a pleasant afternoon of birding. Pleasant quickly turned into intensely fun as upon just walking past Cricket Hill, I was bombarded by wave upon wave of warblers and other migrants moving through the trees. PHILADELPHIA VIREO was great:
As was this tad-early BROWN CREEPER:
As I said, warblers abounded. BLACK-AND-WHITE:
OVENBIRD:
A nice CAPE MAY!
MAGNOLIA:
An EASTERN PHOEBE was present as well.
I finally made it to the beach where the BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS from wednesday were still there.
One and possibly two NELSON’S SPARROWS in the panne dune wetland area were my best birds of the day, but true to their nature, they were extremely shy and avoided photos, running on the mud between the thick marsh vegetation.
Back in the hedge, a COOPER’S HAWK was patrolling — he had many snack options thursday, that’s for sure.
Great looks at an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER:
CHESTNUT-SIDED:
LEAST FLYCATCHER:
GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH:
There is always this one puddle that forms on the path in the Magic Hedge and it never fails to draw birds in between being flushed by passerby. This NORTHERN FLICKER was enjoying the company of several SWAINSON’S THRUSH:
A brief view at a nice GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER and a completely botched photo opportunity. Dang.
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH:
AMERICAN REDSTART:
DARK-EYED JUNCO:
PURPLE FINCH:
As you can see, it was quite the assortment of birds! Bird-of-the-day to the Nelson’s Sparrow with runner-up to the Golden-winged Warbler. Both crappy views but miles ahead of the other species in terms of scarcity. Next post: my insane weekend trip!
Good birding,
Henry
World Life List: 1119 Species
Wowza Henry! So glad you take us all on these journeys with you!
by Poo