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IT'S SEPTEMBER ALREADY
by  Ron Smith
It doesn't seem all that long ago we were dealing with spring migration. The summer went by fast, I thought. And so here it is already, September, the heart of fall migration.
The key for us seeing migrants, of course, is weather.  Bad weather means good birding.  The last week of August offered us a taste of what is in store for us this month.  Probably the peak of the fall movement is the last week of September and the first week of October.  If we experience a low pressure system during that time there should be no excuse for not being out there. 
The first week or so of September has produced a few Lark Sparrows over the years, so certainly keep an eye out for one.  The earliest of the thrushes to arrive, the Veery, is also an early September expectation, though you may still see one much later.  A few Indigo Buntings are sure to be reported when we have the next weather change, and most certainly an Acadian Flycatcher or two.  The earliest Scarlet Tanager is 6 September.
Shorebirding will continue to improve as the month rolls along.  So, too, will the opportunity to see a few migrating hawks, especially towards the end of the month.  Always look up on clear days following a NE or NW wind and/or front.  Broad-winged Hawks often fly very high and take advantage of days like that.
Here's the scoop on a few migrant species...
Olive-sided Flycatcher - Just 3 records & 3 sight reports - all between the dates of August 17th and September 21st.  One in August and 5 in September.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - Just one verified record for the county (6-8 Sep 1998), but several sight reports in which most are probably valid. The fall dates ranged from Sep 6th thru October 8th.
Alder Flycatcher - One record - 21 Sep 2006.
Willow Flycatcher - One record - 20-21 Sep 2006.
Least Flycatcher - September and early October is prime time.
Philadelphia Vireo - Earliest fall date is 19 Sep (1978), with many October sightings.
Yellow-green Vireo - Two accepted records; one fall - 11 Sep (2002).
House Wren - Earliest fall date is 23 Sep (1996).
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - Earliest fall date is 26 Sep (2001).
Gray-cheeked Thrush - Three were once seen on the early date of 19 Sep (1964).
Swainson's Thrush - Four were once seen on 11 Sep (2002).
Wood Thrush - The earliest fall date is 13 Sep (1960).

Most of the warblers have early dates in August, but there's several that don't.
Cape May Warbler - The earliest fall date is 7 Sep (1985).
Yellow-rumped Warbler - The earliest fall date is 17 Sep (1990).
Black-throated Green Warbler - The esraliest fall date is 12 Sep (1998).
Townsend's Warbler -  There are 4 fall reports/records.  Three of them in September.
Palm Warbler - The earliest fall date is 2 Sep (2009).
Blackpoll Warbler - the earliest fall date is 24 Sep (1992).
Mourning Warbler - Several records/reports in the fall with the earliest being one on 9 Sep (1988).
Wilson's Warbler - The earliest fall date is 3 Sep (2005).

The sparrows?  Other than Lark Sparrow, mentioned above, we'll wait until October to review them.  However, I sure would like a "documented" early date for Savannah.