Week 11: A Week of Two Halves

29 September to 05 October

With summer weather stretching well into September, fall migration has been noticeably delayed. The first part of the week was quiet and rainy, with very few birds moving and low numbers in the nets. But once the skies cleared, migration picked up quickly—culminating in the busiest days of the season so far at both stations.

Since BirdCast data isn’t available for Canada, Clallam County—directly across the Strait of Juan de Fuca—serves as the closest reference point. This week showed a dramatic increase in migration activity, rising from a low of around 800 birds on September 28th to a peak of nearly 1.3 million by October 5th. (https://dashboard.birdcast.info/region/US-WA-009?night=2025-10-05)

Pedder Bay

The week may have started slow, but it quickly got interesting. Ruby-crowned Kinglet numbers, which had been notably low so far this season, finally began to pick up. Golden-crowned Sparrows also started arriving in better numbers, after a slow start. Several late-season stragglers showed up in the nets as well, including Swainson’s Thrush, Yellow Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler, Western (Pacific-slope) Flycatcher, and Hammond’s Flycatcher—species that are usually well on their way south by this time of year.

The top five species banded this week at Pedder were:

• Dark-eyed Junco (56)
  

• Ruby-crowned Kinglet (45)
  

• Hermit Thrush (37)
  

• Fox Sparrow (27)
  

• Song Sparrow (26)
  
  

Other notable bands this week at Pedder include:  21 Spotted Towhees, 17 Golden-crowned Sparrows, 12 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 12 Pacific Wrens, 2 White-throated Sparrows, 11 Swainson’s Thrushes, and a pair of Hutton's Vireos caught in the same net. Among the recaptures were a Spotted Towhee originally banded in 2022, and two Chestnut-backed Chickadees first caught in 2023.

Hatch year Hutton's Vireo (Gaelin Armstrong)

Spot the difference! Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Max Hellicar)

Observation highlights at Pedder included a morning flyover of 40 Vaux’s Swifts and several Evening Grosbeaks observed flying overhead. A Northern Pygmy Owl was heard tooting from the nearby woods, and a small flock of Violet-green Swallows—lingering later than usual—was seen moving through. A Long-billed Dowitcher was spotted in the front bay near the road, and a Virginia Rail was seen in the back fire lane. Sandhill Cranes were heard making their raspy, dinosaur-like calls before a group of 16 was seen flying south toward the Rocky Point station. Later in the week, once the weather warmed, Turkey Vultures took full advantage of the thermals, with an impressive estimated daily high of over 700 birds seen kettling and heading south on their way to cross the Strait.

Adult Golden-crowned Sparrow (Max Hellicar)

Rocky Point

A slow start gave way to a strong finish, and we ended up with 428 new birds banded and 83 recaptures. Spotted Towhees absolutely dominated the week, with 93 banded—more than double the next most numerous species. Ruby-crowned Kinglets were also busy in the nets, followed closely by Pacific Wrens and Song Sparrows.

The top five species banded this week at Rocky were:

• Spotted Towhee (93)
  

• Ruby-crowned Kinglet (46)
  

• Pacific Wren (30)
  

• Song Sparrow (27)
  

• Puget Sound White-crowned Sparrow (25)

Other notable captures included 22 Yellow-rumped Warblers—a mix of Audubon’s (11) , Myrtle (7), and unknown subspecies (5)—along with 19 Savannah Sparrows, 10 Yellow Warblers, 14 Orange-crowned Warblers, and 7 Western Flycatchers. A few other highlights in the nets were a Swamp Sparrow, a Western Palm Warbler, a Marsh Wren, a Red-winged Blackbird, and a Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Hatch year female Sharp-shinned Hawk (Mara Hanneson)

Hatch year male Red-winged Blackbird (Gaelin Armstrong)

Wester Palm Warbler (Andrew Jacobs)

The geese arrived and flocks of Snow, Cackling, Canada, and Greater White-fronted Geese were heard and seen honking overhead. Over the front field, Band-tailed Pigeons flew past, sometimes in groups of more than 100, and American Pipits moved overhead in good numbers, calling with their distinctive "pip-pip" notes. Raptor migration continued to be dominated by Turkey Vultures but was lighter than expected in terms of diversity. Scattered sightings included Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, and a single Broad-winged Hawk among the vultures, though all appeared in lower numbers than usual. Still, the daily spectacle of vultures riding thermals remains hard to beat. 

Around the station, large flocks of American Robins descended on the crabapple trees, joined by Cedar Waxwings and Purple Finches. Yellow-rumped Warblers and juncos moved through the trees. A few Horned Larks and a Snow Bunting passed overhead. The Franklin’s Gull, spotted last week, continued to be seen around Edye Point. 

Notably absent this week were Red Crossbills and Pine Siskins—two species that are usually common by now. Whether it’s a sign of a poor cone crop or just more evidence that everything is running late, only time will tell. 

A Rocky start to the morning... (Max Hellicar)

Thanks to everyone who helped out this week as the season finally began to ramp up. With more migrants on the move and two weeks left in the season, we’re excited to see what turns up next. 

Pedder Bay	Sep 29	Sep 30	Oct 1	Oct 2	Oct 3	Oct 4	Oct 5	Total
Banded	4	18	18	20	42	89	68	312
Recaps	6	21	6	10	6	4	6	174
Rocky Point	Sep 29	Sep 30	Oct 1	Oct 2	Oct 3	Oct 4	Oct 5	Total
Banded	17	27	13	26	102	158	85	428
Recaps	9	12	9	15	6	6	9	83