Birdwalk Highlights for 9/5: Our Property in Durham.

With a big migration overnight and a property bursting with ripe Black Cherry, I took the birdwalk group home this morning.

We got off to a slow start due to the presence of an unseen raptor, and later, a hunting MERLIN, but the second half of the walk showed the yard's true colors.

AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES (40+) including adults feeding lots of juveniles and 50+ CEDAR WAXWINGS led the way, 3 RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS sparred, and a GREAT EGRET flew by. We heard a still-singing EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE, and saw 2 EASTERN PHOEBES, plenty of "feeder birds" especially SONG SPARROWS and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, watched two COMMON RAVENS playing with something unidentified, and had an immature BALD EAGLE fly over.

But the action, as expected were in the cherry trees. The highlight were our continuing abundance of CAPE MAY WARBLERS. We had at least 7 this morning, including three immature females in one field of view at one point! At least 8 RED-EYED VIREOS, including some really close looks, were the other most conspicuous migrant, but our list included 4 ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS, 3 COMMON YELLOWTHROATS, 3 GRAY CATBIRDS, 2 AMERICAN REDSTARTS, 2 NORTHERN PARULAS, 1 BLUE-HEADED VIREO, 1 YELLOW WARBLER, 1 BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, 1 BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, and to finish, a stunning look at a male PRAIRIE WARBLER.

Three GREAT BLUE HERONS were present on our way out, and a quick riverside stop yielded another Bald Eagle, but this time and adult being mobbed by first a BROAD-WINGED HAWK and then a pair of RED-TAILED HAWKS. We also spotted a single KILLDEER to help nicely round out the checklist.