Fall Songbird Migration - Albuquerque Bosque

MacGillivray's Warbler. Photo by Doug Brown.

Fall migration is now clearly in full swing. Large numbers of MacGillivray’s Warbler, Yellow Warbler, and Virginia’s Warbler are currently moving through the bosque. Wilson’s Warbler numbers are currently comparable to those of the three warblers mentioned above, but are small compared to the numbers that will be present in the bosque during the coming weeks. Orange-crown Warbler and Townsend’s Warbler are also moving through in relatively large numbers. Western Wood-Pewee numbers have greatly increased this week compared to earlier in the month. We undoubtedly undercount vireos in the bosque because they rarely vocalize during this time of year, but we have recorded three species so far this week. Warbling Vireos are regular right now, and we finally detected our first Plumbeous Vireos this week. Most exciting, however, is the detection of three Red-eyed Vireos over the past eight days, a species that is normally very rare in the bosque.

Songbird Migration Is On!

Yellow Warbler. Photo by David Powell.

Migration is beginning to pick up steam in the bosque. Among warblers, Yellow Warblers are currently moving through in the largest numbers, with smaller numbers of MacGillivray’s Warblers and Virginia’s Warblers also popping up. Wilson’s Warblers are just starting to trickle into the bosque, and we have also recorded Black-throated Gray Warbler and Orange-crowned Warbler over the past week. Other migrants currently moving through include Western Tanager, Warbling Vireo, Rufous Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Calliope Hummingbird, and Gray Flycatcher. Other species of note include Lark Sparrow and Chipping Sparrow, both of which are moving around in large numbers, the occasional Red-breasted Nuthatch, and increasing numbers of Bullock’s Oriole and Lazuli Bunting

Golden Eagle Nestlings

These Golden Eagle nestlings were filmed through a spotting scope by Hawks Aloft raptor biologist, Ron Kellermueller. The parents had just made a prey delivery as Ron and his son, Malcolm watched. Check out the size of this nest!