Migration Monitoring at Rocky Point for fall 1999 began July 23rd proper. Weather in late July was clear and warm which meant for relatively low bird numbers. Rufous Hummingbird peaked for the season at 28 ET on July 26th, 16 of which were captured. In all, approximately 150 RUHU were caught from July 23rd-August 31. Violet Green Swallow peaked at 135 on July 30th, Cliff Swallow at 21 on August 11 and Northern Rough wing at 150 on the 3rd of August.
August at Rocky Point is signified by strong movements of Wilson's Warbler in the early part of the month and Pacific Slope Flycatcher later on. August 14th produced the season high for Townsend's Warbler with 14. Also on that day were 50 Pacific Slope Flycatchers, 47 Wilson's Warbler(season high). August is typically the best month for shorebirds, however 1999 paled in comparison to last year. The highest total for Western Sandpiper was 70 on the 16th of which 12 were banded. In 1998 there were several days where numbers of Westerns were over 300. Black Bellied Plover (15), and Least Sandpiper (10) also peaked that day.
The first significant fallout occurred on the 30th of August where 119 birds were banded, a Rocky Point August record. To our surprise this ended up being the highest one day banding total of the season. Season highs were set for PSFL (75 ET, 52 banded), WIFL (10 ET), and YWAR (38 ET). While August was unusually busy, September and October were abnormally slow.
In September, both Hermit and Swainsons Thrushes, Lincoln's, Savannah Sparrow, White Crowned Sparrow, Golden Crowned Sparrow and Yellow Rumped Warbler make up the bulk migrants. Bird migration was quite paucit in September up until the 27th. On this fallout day, season highs were set for WCSP (81), GCSP (100), and DEJU (105). Both Lincoln's (51) and Savannah sparrows (90) peaked on Sept 30th. Even more apparent on this day was a massive movement of Yellow Rumped Warblers (270) passing high up at tree top level. These were predominantly Myrtles although some Audubon's were present. Despite a high density of Yellow Rump migration for a week long period, only 26 were banded for the whole season. Northern Flicker and Golden Crowned Kinglet also peaked on the 30th at 60 and 110 respectively. Disappointing was an obvious lack of Cathurus thrushes in September and October. Hermit Thrush peaked at a record low 8 on Sept 26th. Swainsons were even less apparent with only 9 banded for the entire 3 month period.
Hawk migration through Rocky Point in 1999 was very good. A maximum number of 1300 Turkey Vultures was recorded for several days in late September. Red Tailed Hawks peaked at 50 and Coopers at 21 on September 30th. There were 33 Sharp Shinned Hawks present on October 13th. Broad winged Hawks were the highlight of the fall with the first observed on August 30th and the last on October 9. A total of 22 Broad Wings were observed in 1999, with a record 7 in one kettle on October 9th.
Despite some impressive movement in late September, staff and volunteers were still waiting for the big push of Sparrows, Thrushes and Kinglets. Unfortunately this never happened in October. However season highs were set in October for American Robin (660) on October 11, Ruby Crowned Kinglet (65) on October 14, and Winter Wren (30) on October 9. By October 20th it was obvious that fall migration was winding down with very few migrants present but many residents. The most diagnostic characteristic of fall 1999 at Rocky Point was a reversal of the typical pattern. The busiest period was from July 23-August 31st with 1050 birds banded, followed by 719 in September and a meager 403 birds banded in October. Species that migrate through Rocky Pt. in August were present in record abundance, while more northern breeding species commonly encountered in September and October failed to materialize. Although causes of such events are difficult to determine, weather and or breeding success in the north were probably involved.
Red Throated Loon: 1 on Aug 25th and another Oct1.
Sooty Shearwater: 1 Sept 6th, 20 on 25th, 6 0n 28th, 2 0n Oct 9, 1 on Oct 10 and 17th
Brown Pelican: Only a single on Sept 6th.(DEA)
Greater White Fronted Goose: 1 on Aug 31st(DGD, DJA,PGL) and 1oth of sept, 2 on Oct 9.
Snow Goose: A flock of 20 observed on Sept 25th.
Canada Goose: 2 of the "cackling race" on Oct10th. (DGD,DEA)
Bufflehead: 2 on Oct 23rd.(DEA,DGD)
Broad Winged Hawk: 1st on Aug 30th ,1 0n the 11th of Sept, 2 on Sept 18, 2 on 25th,3 on 26th,1 on 27th, 1 on 28th and 29th, 3 on OCt 1, 7 on the 9th of October.
Golden Eagle: 1 Oct 9th and 13th and another on the17th.
White Tailed Kite: 1 Aug18th (mobs.) and 1 18th of Sept. (DGD,DEA)
Ring Necked Pheasant: on sept 2nd.(PGL)
Sandhill Crane: 1 on Aug 31st (DJA, PGL) and 4th of Sept ,3 on 25th Sept ,3 on 26th, 1 0n Oct 9th.(mobs.)
Pacific Golden Plover: 1 on Sept4th. (DEA, mobs.)
Whimbrel 1 on Sept 27 which likely hung around until October 3rd.(RTo)
Ruddy Turnstone: 3 on 27 July(DGD), 3 on 4th of Aug(DGD)
Western Sandpiper: 70 on Aug16th.(DGD,DJA)
Semipalmated Sandpiper: 3 observed and 1 banded on Aug16th.(DGD,DJA)
Long Tailed Jaeger-1 on sept25th. (RTo,mobs.) Rocky Point 1st.
Franklin's Gull: on Sept 6th.(DEA, mobs.) 1st for Rocky Point.
Sabine's Gull: 1 on Sept 25. (RTo) Rocky Point first.
Ring billed Gull: on Sept1st (RS)and 3rd and oct 19th.(RTo) Rocky Point first.
Herring Gull: 1 on oct1st.
Black Legged Kittiwake: 2 on Sept 25th.(RTo)
Arctic Tern: 1 on Sept 25 is 1st for Rocky Point. (RTo, mobs.)
Caspian Tern: 2 on Aug 13th.(AY, CM)
Cassin's Auklet: 1 on Aug15th.
Tufted Puffin: A record year with Rocky Point 1st on 29th of July (DGD), 4 on August 12th(DGD,PGL), and 1 on Aug 25th(DEA).
Mourning Dove: 3 records, the 1st on 27th July, 2nd and 3rd on the 11th and 16th of OCt. (DGD)
Vaux's Swift: 450 on Sept 1st is significant.(DGD,PGL,DJA)
Say's Phoebe: 1 on July 25.(DEA)
Bank Swallow: 1 on Sept13th.(DEA)
Northern Rough Winged Swallow: 150 on August 3rd.(mobs.)
Varied Thrush: 1 banded July 28th is early.(mobs.)
Gray Catbird: 1 heard calling in the early evening of sept 20th in the marsh.(DGD, RTo,DEA)
Northern Shrike: 1 at Edye Pt. on Oct 8 (DGD,VM) and around nets on the18th. (RTo,DGD)
Hutton's Vireo: 1 banded on Aug 27th.(mobs.)
American Redstart: 1 banded on Aug 5th is the 1st for Rocky Point and Victoria. (DGD,DEA)
Western Palm Warbler: 1 on Oct12th.(DGD)
Black Headed Grosbeak: 3 on July 23.(DGD)
Clay Colored Sparrow: 1 on Sept3rd was a 1st for Rocky Point.(DEA,DJA)
Swamp Sparrow: 1 banded on Oct10th which hung around until the 19th. (mobs.)
White Throated Sparrow: 1 on Sept 27th and the 29th (RTo),1 banded on Oct 2nd. (mobs.)
Lapland Longspur: 1 observed on Oct16th. (DEA)
Fox Sparrow:1 adult banded July 29th is early. (DGD)
Western Meadowlark:1 on the early morning of Oct13th.(DGD,RS)
Bullock's Oriole: 1 observed Aug10th. (DEA)
BANDING TOTALS: JULY 23-OCTOBER 13 (Oct 14-20 not included)
| SPECIES | TOT | SPECIES | TOTA | SPECIES | TOT |
| CBCH | 57 | AMGO | 67 | DEJU | 71 |
| BUSH | 50 | BHCO | 7 | WIFL | 34 |
| BRCR | 5 | WIWR | 54 | WCSP | 24* |
| BEWR | 33 | SWTH | 9* | WETA | 1 |
| CEDW | 1 | WAVI | 17 | SAVS | 111 |
| OCWA | 189 | HOWR | 6 | SESA | 1 |
| MGWA | 32 | YRWA | 26 | CAVI | 2 |
| COYE | 59 | CHSP | 12 | BTYW | 3 |
| WIWA | 257 | VATH | 1* | HAFL | 15 |
| SOSP | 60* | FOSP | 33 | HUVI | 1 |
| PUFI | 14 | MAWR | 3 | LISP | 152 |
| PISI | 47 | BARS | 2 | GCKI | 45 |
| BHGR | 1 | YWAR | 105 | SPTO | 45 |
| PSFL | 223 | SSHA | 2 | RCKI | 170 |
| RWBL | 15 | DOWO | 2 | NOFL | 1 |
| GCSP | 24* | WTSP | 1 | AMRE | 1 |
| HETH | 16* | AMRO | 10 | NRWS | 7 |
| SWSP | 1 | WESA | 12 | TOWA | 5 |
| TOT # | 2172 | ||||
| Tot.# spec. | 54 |
-Totals indicated with an (*) asterisk represent unusually low number.
-Underlined totals signify unusually high number.
In 1999 we had our best season of coverage in the history of Rocky Point migration monitoring. From July 23-October 20 there was daily coverage. Some field days were lost due to military activity which prevented us from being on site. Nevertheless, it was an achievement made possible by the following individuals.
The following people contributed more than 15 volunteer days to the migration monitoring program in 1999:
David Allinson, Devon Anderson, Paul Levesque, Michael Porter, Rick Schortinghuis, Mike Setterington, and Rick Toochin.
The following are also thanked for their efforts:
Dannie Carson, Bob Chappell, Gabriel David, Sarah Dunderdale,Wendy Easton, Colin French, Bryan Gates, Bev Glover, Max Gotz, Phil Henderson, Marilyn Lambert, Cheryl Mackey, Judy MacMillan, Rod Mitchell, Victoria Mitchell, David Pearce, Claudia Riveros, Mike Shepard, Jolyn Starling, Hank Vanderpol, and Arlene Yaworski.
Special thanks are due to David Allinson,Wendy Easton, Bev Glover, Rod Mitchell and Mike Setterington.
Along with better coverage at Rocky Point, many other much needed developments took place. A detailed protocol was finally written for the site. Data sheets were re-designed to better suit our program. A board of directors was established along with a projected budget.Formal organization will open lines of communication and will ensure that issues are addressed and responsibilities are met. The census route was re-drawn to make shorter and more efficient. The trailer was moved to Cape Calver in order to comply with DND danger template.
Copyright 2006, Rocky Point Bird Observatory.
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