When it Rains, it Drips Birds

Posted on by Melissa Penta

Who would think that bad weather could equal really great birds? When birds are migrating through and run into poor migrating weather (storm, front), they will drop out of the sky, typically in good numbers, to the most convenient habitat that suits them. This is known as fallout. Serious birders will actually go out in the rain and look for these birds because many times, something rare is sure to show up.

On Wednesday morning it started with an early report of some Long-tailed Ducks and Bonaparte’s Gulls. It was before work, so I went out to find these birds with success. I had 27 Bonaparte’s Gulls and later in the day over 80 were counted in the same location. As the day went on, the reports started coming in quick from birders who were off from work — more Long-tailed Ducks (20+ in one location and 40+ in another), Red-necked Grebes in four different locations, Horned Grebes showing up in high numbers, Four Great Egrets foraging together in a local pond, Caspian Terns in two locations — it was too much to resist not taking a long lunch for these great reports! I went out and quickly found some of the birds with a friend, but did not have time to take photos or get all of the birds.

Four Great Egrets stop to rest for one evening

Four Great Egrets stop to rest for one evening

The next morning, I headed out with another friend to see if we could get the high number of Long-tailed Ducks. They were no longer around, but I did see two Caspian Terns, which I did not get the previous day.

Caspian Terns

Caspian Terns

We continued to get poor weather so many of the birds stuck around for the weekend. Bufflehead were in high numbers at every location.

Bufflehead Pair

Bufflehead Pair at Dorchester Park

Bufflehead

Bufflehead at Lisle Park

For the first time, I saw Horned Grebes in every possible plumage — winter, transitional and full on breeding plumage. I was happy to finally get photos of them too!

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebes

Horned Grebes

Both birds were often together…

Horned Grebe and Bufflehead

Horned Grebe and Bufflehead

The big Grebe news, however, were the Red-necked Grebes. It is rare in our area to see a single one – I had at least NINE in one location with great scope views (not so great camera views…)

Red-necked Grebes with other waterfowl

Red-necked Grebes with other waterfowl in Whitney Point

Today, we also found a Common Tern actively fishing around a lake. Another great rarity.

Common Tern

Common Tern in Whitney Point

And, of course, our more usual waterfowl were also around.

Pied Billed Grebes and Blue-winged Teal

Pied Billed Grebes and Blue-winged Teal

It was not just about waterfowl. I also believe we had a Kinglet fallout. Ruby- and especially Golden-crowned Kinglets were everywhere. At one point I was surrounded by at least 50 birds dripping from the trees. There was a Kinglet on every branch that I looked at. I failed at getting a decent photo of a Golden-crowned since they are so fast but I did manage to get a Ruby-crowned at one point.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

This weekend also brought my first Warblers of the year! I had Pine Warblers, Palm Warblers (in multiple locations) and Yellow-rumped Warblers.

Palm Warbler

Palm Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Other great highlights included another rarity for our area, a Vesper Sparrow who has been hanging around with some of our more common Sparrows and many first-of-year birds. We also did a Woodcock walk and enjoyed a male in good enough light to follow his aerial display.

Vesper Sparrow among Savannah Sparrows, a Junco and American Tree Sparrow.

Vesper Sparrow (far left) among Savannah Sparrows, a Junco and American Tree Sparrow.

I also had my best looks at singing Rusty Blackbirds – close enough to see how they got their name.

Rusty Blackbird

Rusty Blackbird

It was a great birding weekend and I am sad that it is over. I will write about my more local yard and creek birds in another post later in the week. This next week will bring more new migrants… I can’t wait to see who shows up!

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