Nocturnal migrants September 16th-18th, 2011

The following are recordings of migrants flying over my house near Philadelphia, PA, during three consecutive nights of northwesterly/northeasterly winds in mid-September. The majority of calls were by thrushes, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks or warblers, and there was an occasional sparrow or heron. The most common thrush was Swainson's, with Veeries coming in second, this species being past its peak. Early Gray-cheeked Thrushes were heard in small numbers, and a few Wood Thrushes passed over. Most frequently heard warblers were Common Yellowthroat, Blackpoll/Blackburnian, Ovenbird and American Redstart.

All identifications are presumed, as no birds were observed.

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks call mostly earlier in the night, whereas thrushes call throughout with an increase towards sunrise. Grosbeaks have three main categories of calls, off-key whistles (which can sound like Swainson's or Hermit Thrush), hoarse calls and buzzy calls. The calls are quite variable.


Typical whistle, which could be confused with Swainson's Thrush, 2.47am












Commonly heard hoarse call, 1.05am












11.25pm













This call is Hermit Thrush-like, 1.30am











Short call, 1.01am











The following are presumed Rose-breasted Grosbeak calls:

5.05am











3.03am












12.55am

























Presumed Wood Thrush (Rose-breasted Grosbeak can be similar) 5.45am












Swainson's Thrush, modulated and typical pure-toned calls, 6.03am












Veery, typical call, 4.57am











Gray-cheeked Thrush calls are higher than those of Veery and Swainson's Thrush, 6.08am












The Bay-breasted Warbler has a bisyllabic call that is more sibilant than other buzzy warbler calls (Blackburnian can be similar), 5.02am













Buzz, most likely Blackpoll or Blackburnian (less likely Yellow, based on date, or Connecticut, based on abundance) 12.02am












Northern Waterthrush, a rising buzz, 1201am (Louisiana Waterthrush is similar)












This is a good candidate for Cape May Warbler, a high, slightly descending buzz, 3.56am.












Magnolia Warbler, a fine buzz, 2.02am












Chestnut-sided Warbler, a low, fine buzz, 1.52am











Common Yellowthroat, a distinctive low coarse buzz, 3.35am











Double rising call, Black-throated Green, Nashville or Tennessee Warbler, 12.02am












Black-throated Blue Warbler 1.39am











Northern Parula, a clear descending call, 2.00am











Palm Warbler, a distinctive emphatic "seemp", 2.00am.













Canada Warbler 3.50am











American Redstart, 12.02am











Black-and-white Warbler, a sharply modulated bisyllabic call, 3.35am










Ovenbird, a piercing rising call, 12.30am













Savannah Sparrow 11.58pm











Swamp/Lincoln's Sparrow 4.20am