October review

October was a good month for birding. Alex and Drew both picked up a state bird with a very cooperative Northern Wheatear. Alex also picked up some county birds on a particularly good morning of banding at the arboretum, and Alex found Centre county’s first record Long-billed Dowitcher.

Long-billed Dowitcher

Some good photographs of Tennessee Warbler gave Alex the chance to show the key identification differences between Orange-crowned and Tennessee Warblers.

Alex spent a productive weekend in Cape May and came away with an insane number of photos, some of which he shared here, and here, and here, and here and here.

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Photo by Alex Lamoreaux)

There were lots of other photography opportunities for Alex. A close Surf Scoter, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Eastern Screech-Owl, and Henslow’s Sparrow were all captured in crippling detail through Alex’s lens.

Henslow's Sparrow - adult at Circleville Farms

The Big Sit! is a big event for birders in October and both Corey and Alex took part. Corey blogged about doing the Big Sit at his house while Alex headed down to the Allegheny Front Hawk Watch.

Overall it was a great month for birding and I am looking forward to what November brings. I am expecting good waterfowl days as well as good flights of Golden Eagles.