September 12 [Day 18] The temperature at 0800 was a very pleasant 10C and rose to
17C at 1300 equaling the highest temperature at the site this season. Winds were WNW
to W generally below 15 km/h and cirrostratus and cirrus cloud cover gave hazy
sunshine and good viewing conditions. After 1300 towering cumulus developed and at
1410 the wind shifted to E-NE, the temperature rapidly fell and as three days ago I
reached my car just as heavy rain started and the ridge was enveloped in cloud at
1820. The only raptor species moving in any significant numbers today was
Sharp-shinned Hawk comprising 27 of the 35 migrants seen with the first bird moving
at 0827 and the last at 1802 just before the weather closed in. Three male American
Kestrels were the first seen since August 30 and only one migrant Golden Eagle, a
subadult, moved south. It is probable that the slowly southward-moving weather
system occluded the mountains to the north for much of the day preventing the
passage of the larger birds, and the flow of the smaller birds also markedly
diminished after 1600. Yet again passerine movement was dominated by Red-breasted
Nuthatches (260) while Yellow-rumped Warblers (96) had their highest single-day
count so far this season, but Wilson's Warbler movement has now slowed to a trickle
with just 5 birds counted. Other warblers seen included the site's first ever
Tennessee Warbler (a first winter female), 2 Orange-crowned Warblers and 2
Townsend's Warblers. At 1612 the season's first migrant Common Loon flew high to the
SW, the 78th bird species recorded on the count so far. The mid afternoon warm
temperatures put 4 species of butterfly on the wing at the site including a first
record of Long Dash Skipper for the study area, the 47th butterfly species recorded
there this year. 11 hours (195.67) SSHA 27 (250) COHA 1 (54), NOGO 1 (7), RTHA 2
(20), GOEA 1 (53), AMKE 3 (7) TOTAL 35 (446)