Last post for the day - I promise.

Inspired by the sounds of singing Chuck-will's-widows around my house, I decided to see if there was any night migration activity overhead. I spent about 20 minutes listening, and I was not disappointed. This was the first night I detected thrushes passing overhead this year. I counted at least 20 Wood Thrushes, as well as at least 3 Veeries. I kept thinking I was hearing Green Herons passing by, but this seemed too odd to accept. Finally, many "kaark!" calls came from fairly low and nearby, and I knew it could be nothing else. A quick check of BNA confirms them to be primarily nocturnal migrants, often in large numbers. This was my first time hearing them as night migrants. I had no less than 20 pass overhead tonight, many very close. Also heard were one Great Blue Heron, several Canada Geese (probably local), and one Spotted Sandpiper.

The next couple weeks should bring much more thrush activity. 

Since I believe this is the first night migrant post of the year, I should include the resource some of us have used to learn some of the easier flight calls. The best resource I know of is "Flight Calls of Migratory Birds: Eastern North American Landbirds" by William R. Evans and Michael O'Brien. I'm still really just getting started, but it's an extremely fascinating area of birding to explore. It's true that you'll hear more Gray-cheeked Thrushes in one good migration night than you're likely to see on the ground in your life. :)

Good birding,

Bill
 
Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland

http://www.billhubick.com