Seeing A Lot In Fall Migration

Today was a pretty good day in the woods. There are several winter residents showing up already. According to the Upper Texas Coast checklist, they are showing up right on time. I saw Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Brown Thrasher, Northern Flicker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Northern Harrier. I was very glad to see them. It's always good to see those birds coming in for the first time and know they'll be with us through the winter.

Some fall migrants were passing through as well. Orchard Oriole, Painted Bunting, Indigo Bunting and Nashville Warbler were in the woods. The Painted Bunting was a female or juvenile male that lit about 15 feet from me and gave me some great looks! Indigo Buntings were everywhere in the thick brush.

I'm still seeing a few hummingbirds. There were probably 10 to 15 last night around the feeders. They'll stick around for the next couple of weeks.

Birds Seen 10/4/08 (31 Species): Turkey Vulture, Northern Harrier, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Eurasian Collared Dove, Great Horned Owl, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, White-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Nashville Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Orchard Oriole

Species Seen as of 10/4/08: 134