Some comments re Tennessee Warbler sightings Tennessee Warbler can be an exceptionally early fall migrant, with many occurrence records in southern Ontario as early as late June. These involve adult birds (presumably failed breeders) that appear to make a southward flight PRIOR TO their annual moult. Its curious that there is often a dearth of records between this initial flight (late June to late July) and the more typical later flight (mid August +), a time period when the moult would be in full progress among adult birds.
Here at Point Pelee, fall migrants (singing males) have been recorded as early as June 24. By about July 10-12 there a number of observations that involved multiple birds (up to 5 per day). And by July 20-25 the numbers can be even greater. This "phenomena" has also been well documented elsewhere in southern Ontario in the past, particularly via the former banding studies at Prince Edward Point, and in the Hamilton area (especially observations accumulated in the Bronte area by Mark Jennings). Although eastern North America experienced a cold, late spring, it was the complete opposite in western North America. When most of Canada west of the Great Lakes experiences an early spring (such as this year), these are the years when Tenneseee Warblers are likely to be recorded very early during fall migration. Alan Wormington, Leamington ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! Alan Wormington <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
