Birding Journal Observations - September / October 2014

Skimmers hunkered down during a cold front

The Ying and Yang of the modern rollercoaster weather cycle continued in the fall of 2014. While September was a record-setting month for precipitation, October turned it right around and barely rained at all with warm temps right up until Halloween. Taken as a whole the fall migration activity seemed fairly light, although the majority of foliage in the Lowcountry is still green. The crux of avian activity seemed to be right at the start of October as my ruby-throated humming birds left on October 1, and flocks of blue-winged teal were pitching in to visit on the 4th. The first American redstart sighting was September 12 and I saw a male hooded warbler on October 5.

Other bird sightings include towhee, cardinal, red-bellied woodpecker, tufted titmouse, male summer tanager, Carolina wren, ruby-throated hummingbird, red-bellied woodpecker, white-breasted nuthatch, downy woodpecker, female American Redstart, pileated woodpecker, blue grey gnatcatcher, mockingbird, Male hooded warbler, blue jay, kestrel, yellow-bellied sapsucker, Canada goose, dove, great blue heron, great white egret and kingfisher.

To view the most recent Birding Journal Observations from July / August 2014 click here.

To view past Birding Journal Observations for Sept / Oct. click 2013 or 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009.