At Turkey Point this morning, I saw an Empid flycatcher with a butter yellow
breast and throat. I know there's a lot of variety among flycatchers in the
fall, and lots of yellow visible, but is the Yellow-Bellied the only one
that has a yellow throat at this time of year? 

 

The Yellow Book has a last date of October 26 for the species.

 

FYI, Turkey Point was quite slow today because of the low overcast. It is
still very birdy, if you aren't looking for raptors. Today I saw my first
junco there, my first Purple Finches, and a quick look at an immature
Red-headed Woodpecker. There are still Palm Warblers along the cliff.

 

I also saw Palm Warblers on Smith Island last weekend. My husband and I
spent three days there, and I can recommend going there in October. It was
beautiful, almost bug free, and Ruke's was still open. So was the place on
the dock where you can get steamed crabs. We stayed at a B&B in Ewell but
made it to Rhodes Point and Tylerton, too. I saw several Northern Harriers,
a Peregrine Falcon, a Meadowlark, a Tricolored Heron, and quite a few Great
Egrets. Sparrows refused to come out of the reeds so I am not sure which
ones were there. A Clapper Rail called to me several times but never
appeared. 

 

Think about staying there sometime in the off season (April or
September/October). The Islanders are really nice to people who stay
overnight. And they sure can use more income from tourism. An overnight
birding trip would be lots of fun, too.

 

Pat Valdata

Elkton, MD