040820. Migrants Continue to Trickle In

        040720                                           Neotropic Cormorant

This small cormorants will breed here, but it is just a matter of time.  The species has been coming to the area for five years, and though there are not many, it's more than just a vagrant at this point.  Will you get a load of the pose?

                        
     040820                                          Savannah Sparrow

This beauty was a surprise and we're looking at some lovely breeding plumage.  This is a northern breeder in the US, as well as the boreal forest.  My thanks go to the many species that stop over in our fair state on the way to the north.

                                                                American Robin

I had to snap this shot, as this little lady kept coming beside me while I was on the way to check for shorebirds.  It's remarkable how she could see to fly with all of this nest material in her area of vision.

                                                                    Canada Gosling
                                                                        "I'm Late!"

An area resident told me that she saw a gosling last week, but this was my first sighting.  There were four in this clutch.  The male knew me, as he gave me the head bob greeting, and the First Family brought them closer and let me take my shots.

                                                                   Canada Gosling
                                                                     "Who, Me?"

It really does seem little this little one really DID have that on his mind with this shot.

                                                                      Least Sandpiper

The smallest of sandpipers, this peep breeds on the tundra.  It is common, though declining.
It is believed that the eastern populations on their southbound migration fly from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to wintering ground in northeast South American, which is from 1800 to 2500 miles.  Shorebirds are amazing animals.

                                                                      Lesser Scaup

These birds came from the south and are winging their way to their breeding grounds.  Some breeding nearer in the US, and others may make it to Alaska and just below the tundra.

                                                            Double-crested Cormorant

If you look hard, you can see the double crests on the dark male on the far right.  We can see them as far ahead as the third week of May, and they are steadily increasing the time in the south before they head to their northern breeding grounds.

A Warbling Vireo was heard at Heron Cove this morning, but had no interest in showing itself, also today.  It was early.  Usually the Baltimore Oriole arrives with the Warbling Vireo mid-April.