2023 Birding Journal Observations - September / October

Wet Osprey at Fripp Island on Oct. 5

The climactic conditions during late summer and early fall were drier and warmer than normal. Sure there was one cool week, and one named storm Idalia, but those were blips over the two-month timeframe. The subtle changes at the bird feeders began with the departure of my painted buntings, while the summer tanagers and blue grosbeaks held on for much longer. As these neotropical migratory birds began to fade from the landscape, the final act was when the ruby-throated hummingbirds departed for winter about mid-October. Plenty of butterflies remained on station at the pollinator garden, so the same source that kept the hummers entertained all summer remained in good shape, but they still headed out.

A flock of Ibis sitting on the Dock in September

Closer to the coast, the return of bald eagles and white pelicans began the first of October, and they should become more prevalent in November. Some shorebirds were already passing by the coast in early October but many of them stayed stationed on barrier islands to refuel during this same time. A new endeavor going on at Edisto Island is a HawkWatch Count program designed to capture the number of migrating raptors during the months of Sept, Oct. and November. Thus far the observations were slow in September, then heavy in October (perhaps signaling the peak of migration) and the numbers for November are not in yet. Overall, the fall migration of raptors and songbirds is greater that the spring migration, making this a great time of year to listen for birdsong and to carry optics to try and identify avian life.

To view the most recent birding observations click on July / August 2023

To view past Birding Journal Observations for Sept. / Oct. click on 2022 - 2021 - 2018- 2017 - 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009