White-winged Scoters
American Avocets (click to see the larger version)
This continues to be an excellent summer for American Avocets at Montrose. Four were feeding in the fluddle on the public beach on the afternoon of August 27. The shorebirds that use the beach don’t mind all the human activity, proving that if left alone and given some space wildlife and humans can coexist peacefully.
Olive-sided Flycatcher (click to see the larger version)
Shorebirds have been moving south for over a month in Chicago but the first passerine (songbird) migrants are just starting to appear. This Olive-sided Flycatcher was taking a break at Montrose on August 14. Link to my eBird checklist for the day below.
The travels of birds are extraordinary. Our Olive-sided Flycather could have come anywhere from Northern Wisconsin to Alaska and will spend the winter in Central or South America. And it will keep making this journey for as long as it’s alive. Not bad for a creature that weighs a little more than an ounce.
eBird Checklist
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S58982673