Birding Journal Observations / Sept.- Oct. 2012

Rufous Hummingbird on 10/19

Red-Bresated Nuthatch on 10/26

Tree Swallows on 10/28

Due to unexpected winged visitors, this is likely my most exciting Birding Journal Observation entry thus far! Hummingbirds were movers and shakers in October with the ruby-throated variety leaving, and for the second straight year a rufous hummingbird makes a brief visit at my nectar feeders. It bears reiteration that 2011 and now 2012 are the ONLY years that I have even seen a rufous hummer. My first ever sighting of a red-breasted nuthatch occurred, and since the white-breated nuthatches are familiar with my peanut feeder, I was able to make some great photos of this bird, which is not uncommon 'by the book' but is sporadic and migratory concerning where it visits. With time running out in October, and the environment getting very dry from a lack of rain, a large flock of 200 Tree Swallows gathered one evening at the pasture pond for a drinking frenzy that had these migratory birds splashing around seemingly for fun as they drank and bathed in an aerial display - amazing! Other notable sighting of birds that migrate in fall include the first female American redstart on 9/13, Swainson's warbler on 9/13, and the first grey catbird on 9/24. My last sighting of a ruby-throated hummingbird was on 10/3 and my first sighting of the rufous hummingbird was on 10/11and the last rufous sighting was on 10/26. It was on October 26 when the red-breasted nuthatch showed up, and the Tree Swallows were spotted on 10/28. Other sighting include carolina chickadee, cardinal, tufted titmouse, red-bellied woodpecker, carolina wren, blue jay, red-headed woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, dove, bluebird, pileated woodpecker, brown-headed cowbird, Northern parula warbler, mockingbird, white-breasted nuthatch, downy woodpecker, chipping sparrow and Canada geese.

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