Conditions during this morning’s census were mild with overcast skies and a light easterly wind. The absence of south winds has prevented many migrants from reaching the area. A significant warm front is due this week (following three days of rain), which should bring the next wave of migrants along with it. Four season firsts were detected this morning along with many of the local resident/breeding species. New species for the 2009 Spring Migration Census included Cooper’s Hawk (1), Ruffed Grouse (1), Herring Gull (1) and White-throated Sparrow (2). In total, a respectable 34 species were tallied during the survey, which brings the season total of species recorded to 40.

The last two weeks have been very busy for us as we work on finalizing our plans for the upcoming breeding season. Things are certainly shaping up but we still have lots of work ahead of us. We will be updating the blog with more breeding bird updates, articles and video content in the coming weeks. Also note that FBS is now on Twitter (see sidebar for latest updates from the field)!

Results (first of season species in bold)

Canada Goose    27
Ruffed Grouse    1
Common Loon    1
Turkey Vulture    1
Cooper’s Hawk    1
Red-shouldered Hawk    2
Ring-billed Gull    3
Herring Gull    1
Mourning Dove    2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker    2
Downy Woodpecker    1
Hairy Woodpecker    2
Northern Flicker    1
Pileated Woodpecker    2
Eastern Phoebe    2
Blue Jay    4
American Crow    6
Black-capped Chickadee    7
Red-breasted Nuthatch    1
Brown Creeper    1
Golden-crowned Kinglet    3
American Robin    7
European Starling    4
American Tree Sparrow    1
Chipping Sparrow    2
Song Sparrow    3
White-throated Sparrow    2
Dark-eyed Junco    1
Red-winged Blackbird    18
Common Grackle    29
Brown-headed Cowbird    3
Purple Finch    1
Pine Siskin    4
American Goldfinch    4

Season Species Count: 44