where did they go?

What happened to all the Yellow-rumped Warblers that came in last week. There were at least two major influxes but most of the warblers have melted away, perhaps continuing to migrate further south or else simply dispersing in the neighborhood. Or perhaps they are just lying low. There was something like four accipters (two Cooper's and two Sharp-shinned) around this morning -- one of them appeared to be holding prey -- and both of these are bird hawks par excellence.

The other major arrival, White-throated Sparrow, is still here in some numbers and, based on past performance, will probably stay the winter. Because it hangs low and on the ground in dense vegetation, it is probably not as susceptible to getting caught by winged predators. In the current mild weather, these birds are quite vocal and it is easy to tell that they are around by their alarm calls (a loud 'chink') and various versions of their melodious songs. The only other singing birds right now are the permanant residents: Mockingbird, Carolina Wren and Song Sparrows. Most of the last-named appear to be young birds still struggling to learn their proper songs.

Royal Terns still frequent the creek along with Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons. No sign of the other egrets and herons.

At low tide, you can see where a spring comes out of the east bank of the pond creating a little freshet of flowing fresh water whose path is marked by light-colored sand on the pond bottom (the flowing water has cleared the mud around it). As I was looking at the spring, a Muskrat emerged from the spot which apparently connects with the muskrat burrows under the bank. Good to know that Irene did not drown all the Muskrats (wonder where they go during storm tides)!

Eric Salzman