this misty morning

This morning dawned clear and still but with a layer of fog or mist over the creek and soaking everything with heavy dew. The sun eventually lifted the moisture from the air but it coated all the vegetation until it all eventually evaporated into the warmth of the day. I had two visitors (members of ELIAS and subscribers to the blog) who had asked to make the morning rounds with me and I was happy to oblige. Even the most familiar sights take on a fresh allure when you see them through someone else's eyes.

Although there was no major new migration, there was a huge movement of American Robins, coming and going seemingly in every direction. The only warblers seen (but they were well seen) were Northern Parulas which were active in the Tupelo trees at the head of the marsh. Another feature was an egret with yellow legs and a bicolored bill, probably a young Little Blue Heron rather than a Snowy Egret (the Little Blue is, in spite of its name, actually also an egret). Other highlights were a couple of merry Kingfisher chases, distant burbling Marsh and House Wrens and the by-now usual appearances of Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Royal Terns and Osprey. In fact, Osprey were on the move all day, suggesting a stream of migrants on the move (and perhaps mixing in with the local birds that have not yet left their home territory). On a day filled with hawk potential (west and northwest winds against a blue sky), I saw just two other raptors: both Merlins streaking across the creek on a direct west or southwest bound flight.

Eric Salzman