Cool front brings colorful migrating birds through Charlotte

The cold front that came through last weekend was the stuff that birders live for. Fall fronts such as that one promise to bring loads of migrants on the winds that follow them. Some fantastic birds were found in the area on Sunday but I was out of town. The next day, Monday the 14th, was the day I spent in the field hoping to find my share of good migrants.

I got off to a slow start at Kirk Farm Fields in the University area. An American redstart was actually singing from a cane thicket. It was probably an inexperienced immature bird that thought the cool weather meant spring. A chestnut-sided warbler and a Tennessee warbler were the only other warblers found. The most interesting bird was a juvenile cedar waxwing; a species that is a rare breeder in Mecklenburg County.

Next stop was a section of Mallard Creek Greenway in the University Research Park. The first bird I got a good look at was a nice yellow-breasted chat that sat up nicely in a most un-chat like way. Chats can be really tough to see sometimes. A high-pitched rolling scold from some thick grass gave away the location of a sedge wren, another notorious skulker, and a pretty nice bird to find here. The migrant list rounded out with black and white warbler, magnolia warbler, Eastern wood-pewee, another Tennessee warbler, and more American redstarts. An adult male American goldfinch feeding three begging fledged juveniles was a highlight. Goldfinches are very late nesters

The final stop was at Ezell Farm in Mint Hill. I was excited to be greeted by a beautiful adult red-headed woodpecker; the first time I have seen that species there. A feeding flock of migrants in the woods produced repeats of already mentioned species plus one bay-breasted warbler; another nice bird to find in the county. I saw one at this same location in the spring. Family groups of blue grosbeaks and indigo buntings flushed out of the hedgerows. They might have been migrants but could be local breeders that haven’t departed yet.

Migration is in full swing now. There are great birds passing through. The next front will be even better I am sure.

This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 9:33 AM with the headline "Cool front brings colorful migrating birds through Charlotte."