Leavings of Summer and early Fall arrivals

Last Tuesday seemed to mark the first day of Autumn.  Although it was only the 10th of September, it was the first time I did not hear Purple Martins calling at the lake.  The normally boisterous Tropical Kingbirds were noticeably absent as well and haven't been heard since.  A lone Lesser nighthawk hunted in the dim early evening light, and a Rufous-winged Sparrow gave weak, barely discernible peeps, seemingly too tired to give its entire bouncing ball

Rufous-winged Sparrow (from previous wanderings)

repertoire.  A single Mallard duck swam on the seeming immense, yet empty lake.   The summer varieties were leaving, yet migrants were still few due to the lack of rainfall in our "desert within the desert".   Hopefully the rains from the week before would help spur plant growth and bird activity.   It was the first time the wash had run this summer, and the rainy season was about to end.   Even our desert toads were mostly silent this monsoon season. 

There was a silver lining on this waning moon of a season.  My friend Paul Suchanek had spotted a juvenile Mississippi Kite just a mile from our neighborhood, and it had been heading in our direction.  His Ebird documentation photo was outstanding as well as his write-up.  Oh, to see such a sight in our neighborhood!  I was quite envious of his find.   And to think I had birded that area just a few days before and could have missed this gem!    At least its nice to have an expert birder focusing on this rich ecosystem, discovering species I've missed in my amateur forays. 

Vesper Sparrow (from previous wanderings)

On Saturday I had some consolation to my doldrums.   As I watered our backyard plants a Warbling Vireo hopped through our mesquites, then investigated our Arizona Ash,  paying little heed to my close presence as I curiously watched its behavior.   I'd seen them in other areas nearby but this was a first for the year in the yard and neighborhood!  Later on a short walk in the wash a Vesper Sparrow was a first for the season. and Brewer's Sparrows were becoming slightly more numerous.  Green-tailed Towhees were also easy to find.    

On my early Monday morning commute I saw a large raptor with crooked wings fly over our transit bus.  "Osprey!" I found myself calling out to the non-birding commuters.  A couple  of passengers were actually interested and tried to find it before it soared out of sight.  Tonight on my bike ride home I stopped by the lake to scan for any activity.    Three swallows passed in a tight knit group, and I pegged two to be Barn Swallows.  The third, even though obviously flying with the others, was too dark and heavy.   I followed them with the bins and confirmed the male Purple Martin, silently flying with his new friends despite their biological differences.   Both parties seemed content with the arrangement regardless of what caused this interspecies bond of friendship.   I was concerned with a couple missing flight feathers on the martin and wished him happy travels on his upcoming journey.   Thank you for appreciating our other-specie-al friends, our community wildlife!