Primetime migration- 2010

Traditionally, the last week of April and the first two weeks of May bring the majority of returning breeding birds and transitory migrants to the Capital District region. Here's what I've seen in the last three weeks.

Albany Pine Bush- Karner Barrens East:

Hermit Thrush, Prairie Warbler (abundant), Gray Catbird, all resident birds, and Nashville Warbler (transitory?)

Albany Pine Bush- Great Dune:

Hermit Thrush, Eastern Towhee, House Wren, Ovenbird, Eastern Wood-pewee, Common Yellowthroat, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Gray Catbird, YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, Veery, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Red-eyed Vireo, Prairie Warbler, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Indigo Bunting, Great Crested Flycatcher, all residents; Northern Parula, Magnolia, Black-throated Blue & Black-throated Green, Black-and-white, BAY-BREASTED, Blackburnian, Canada and Yellow-rumped Warblers, American Redstart (transitory migrants, but I wonder about Black-throated Green, do they breed here?)

Black Creek Marsh:

Wood Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Yellow Warbler, Green Heron, Marsh Wren, Gray Catbird (residents.)

Five Rivers:

House Wren, Baltimore Oriole, Yellow Warbler, Swamp Sparrow, Prairie Warbler, Ovenbird, Gray Catbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Common Yellowthroat, Barn Swallow, Bobolink, Green Heron, Warbling Vireo, Wood Thrush, Blue-winged Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Least Flycatcher, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Yellow-throated Vireo (residents.) Transitory migrants included Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped, Nashville, Black-throated Green, Palm, and CAPE MAY Warblers, White-crowned Sparrow, and Solitary Sandpiper.

Vischer Ferry NHP:

Residents that have returned include Green Heron, Barn Swallow, Warbling Vireo, Gray Catbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Great Crested Flycatcher, Baltimore Oriole, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, Eastern Kingbird, Wood Thrush, Least Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Veery, Northern Waterthrush, and House Wren. The stopovers included White-crowned Sparrow, Lesser Yellowlegs, and the following warblers: Northern Parula, Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, Nashville, Magnolia, Canada, Blackburnian, and Blackpoll.

This weekend we'll explore Rensselaer County, specifically the Tech Park and Schodack Island SP (Cerulean Warblers?) on Saturday; Sunday doing the trails above Thacher Park around Pinnacle. Migrants will be passing through in good numbers, so get out there and bird every bird!