vireos, vireos, vireos

The new 'new' arrivals have all been vireos. Today's was a handsome Yellow-throated Vireo in the dense vegetation at the head of the marsh. The bird was so close to me -- it was barely above my head -- that it took me a while to get the binoculars on it: bright yellow throat and breast, white belly, two broad wingbars, olive back and -- bingo! -- yellow spectacles. Always a good bird to find out here. Yesterday's 'new' arrival was actually an old acquaintance that has not been doing well recently: Red-eyed Vireo (new only in that it's the first R-v Vireo on the place in fall migration). I've actually already had Warbling Vireo and White-eyed Vireo before this Red-eyed showed up and now Yellow-throated to add to the vireo list. Everything else (both days) was quite familiar: Royal Terns, all three mimids (including several Brown Thrashers), all four woodpeckers (including Hairy), Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the last gaggle of Wild Turkeys (six young 'uns and one fat hen standing guard), a few warblers (Yellow, Yellowthroat, Black-and-white, American Redstart). And, oh yes, a fast flying Merlin that disappeared over the treetops. Eric Salzman