Theres a White-eyed Vireo still singing in the garden and two Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds still visiting our nectar feeder. They will soon be on their way, flying overnight with millions of other summer visitors observing the shorter days and cooler temperatures.
Last Sunday, September 14, Doppler radar for BirdCast recorded 526,500 birds crossing our James City County boundaries, from soon after sunset until the wink of dawn. Their numbers peaked at 4.00 AM as they flew SSW at 32 mph on average and at about 1000 feet elevation. A third as many crossed on Monday night, and only an intrepid 2,300 last night, in stormy weather.
From ground observations in the past, we expect the following species migrating, and are perhaps overhead even as I write: American Redstart, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Northern Parula, Summer Tanager, Caspian Tern, Green Heron, Hooded Warbler, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Palm Warbler, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Magnolia Warbler, Yellow Warbler, and Scarlet Tanager.
