mid-August birding

Last week I mentioned that shorebirds were in the middle of their southward migration.  Other post-breeding season movements are being noticed these days too.  Blackbirds are beginning to gather in flocks.  Common Nighthawks are being reported in the evening skies and hummingbirds have been seen more frequently at feeders.

I dismantled our nectar feeder a few weeks ago since we had no sign of the hummers, but it looks like it's time to hang it out again.  Last fall, when we first began birding here at West Campus, we had two hummingbird sightings - it would be great to see them again!

We've been watching the comings and goings of birds on campus for about eleven months now - and I'm curious to see what sort of repeat activity there will be come September.  For example:  What about those Phoebes?  They were ubiquitous last fall - September through November.  I assumed they had nested here - but there have been zero sightings of Eastern Phoebes since they departed in November!

I think there were eleven Killdeer on the roof, seeking shade or a puddle!

Alright then, on to the bird list - accumulated since the last posting:
Wild Turkey
Canada Goose
Killdeer
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker
Chimney Swift
Blue Jay
American Crow
European Starling
Barn Swallow
Gray Catbird
American Robin
Black-capped Chickadee
Northern Cardinal

Song Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Twenty four species - and as I mentioned, blackbirds are in the vicinity - just a matter of time before we add a new bird to our species list... Boat-tailed Grackle maybe?  Rusty Blackbird maybe?