East/Northest

East/northeast winds produced a drier morning and a bit of movement. The most notable bird was a Palm Warbler of the Western or 'palmarum' variety -- a bright white eye-stripe, dark streaks at the sides of a white breast and the yellow confined to the undertail. Like all Palm Warblers, this one was wagging its tail at a good clip. Although these birds typically feed on the ground, this one popped high and perched prettily on top of a shrub. Palm is sometimes thought of as a late or even winter warbler but it often comes by as early as the second week of September.

Other birds in the area included Red-eyed Vireo, Common Yellowthroats, at least two Red-breasted Nuthatches, the usual fall collection of Flickers and Robins plus Osprey, Royal Terns and various gulls on the creek.

Eric Salzman