With the changing weather, I used 2 hours to check two of the best migrant traps at Alum Lake - New Galena and Berlin Station - looking for unusual birds.  I've described New Galena recently, but it can be mediocre under certain weather conditions, like today.  Berlin Station access, in contrast, sits just below Alum Point and gathers many of the migrants funneling off the point, especially under W or NW wind conditions.  It also has mudflats, bays, and a rock bar attractive to shorebirds and waterbirds. Highlights today included:

Waterfowl - many goose flocks at both sites (just in time for hunting season). New Galena also had a pair of Wigeon, while Berlin Station had Green-winged Teal

Shorebirds,Gulls - Dunlin were at both locations, but in small #s.  Flocks of Ring-bills at both locations included Herring Gulls, Bonaparte's Gulls (NG), and even 2 Forster's Terns (NG)

Vultures - good movement, with 38 T.V.s at New Galena and 36 at Berlin Station; even better was a single BLACK VULTURE mixed in with the New Galena birds, one of the few records from Alum Lake.

Other Raptors - minimal movement, with a Sharpie in 1 hour at New Galena and 2 Coopers in 1 hour at Berlin Station.  An osprey continues to haunt New Galena.

Swifts, Swallows - no swifts (although I did have them at roosts in Bexley last night and Columbus tonight), but a few Tree Swallows were at both sites.

Blue Jays - definite downturn in numbers here, with only 16/1 hour at New Galena and 12/1 hour at Berlin Station.

Thrushes - no Swainson's, but lots of Robins.  I watched over 300 straggle from Alum Point across to Berlin Station in 1 hour; in contrast, New Galena had only 40. A few E.Bluebirds flew over both sites.

Warblers,Vireo - Yellow-rumped warblers were on the move at both sites, with 12/ 1 hr at New Galena and 10/ 1 hour at Berlin Station.  The trees at the end of Berlin Station also accumulated some tired transients, including Tennessee, Cape May, and Red-eyed Vireo

Grosbeaks, Buntings - a late Rose-br.Grosbeak was also at Berlin Station

Blackbirds - no real movement, with only a few early Redwings at New Galena.  Bad weather tends to inhibit their movements.

Finches - few Goldfinches, but an early PINE SISKIN flew over New Galena.

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