In 31 years here we have never had Fox Sparrows in numbers greater than one, rarely two, stay more than a day or two spring and fall. As of today we have had three FOSP now here for an extended stopover of two weeks!
As a side note, we ceased passerine banding operations here after Fall 2012 migration with some 125,000 birds banded since 1986. Amazingly, we are still seeing a few banded birds as they return "home". Species include BC Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse (the BCCH a migrant, the TUTI a local), Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Song Sparrow (all migrant) and a local male Red-bellied Woodpecker. The latter has to be at least 8 plus years of age while the former species all at least in the 5 plus year area. We are curious if others who reported FOSPs this year are also experiencing the extended stay??? -- John and Sue Gregoire Field Ornithologists Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Observatory 5373 Fitzgerald Road Burdett,NY 14818-9626 N 42 26.611' W 76 45.492' Website: http://www.empacc.net/~kestrelhaven/ "Conserve and Create Habitat" -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
