Individual Tickets and Sponsorship Opportunities Available! Please join us July 20th to celebrate the work we are doing together to conserve and preserve Fishers Island.
Announcing the results of the Spring 2024 Migratory Bird Count
We are excited to share the official tally of bird species encountered during our annual bird count, along with the “running count” that includes birds observed over the past two days. This springs birding event was remarkable, marking our most impressive count yet, with a grand total of 68 species recorded during the count. Adding the additional 8 species spotted in the running count, we reached an impressive total of 76 species! (See list of bird species below.)
Despite the chill, which might have deterred the raptors, we enjoyed a dry day with intermittent sunshine—a beautiful setting for our bird count. It’s no surprise that our most significant sightings occurred in areas rich with native flora. One highlight was the spotting of the Blue Winged Warbler. Remarkably, we hadn’t encountered one since our first watch over a decade ago, and yesterday, we were fortunate to observe three. Truly wonderful!
Bird counts play a pivotal role in understanding and preserving the rich biodiversity of our island. By documenting avian species year after year, we gain invaluable insights into the health of our island’s ecosystems, informing conservation efforts and ensuring a sustainable future for both our feathered friends and our community.
Here’s the list of species we encountered in our Spring 2024 Migratory Bird Count.
Thank you to all who participated.
| Spring 2024 Bird Count |
|---|
| American crow |
| American goldfinch |
| American redstart |
| American robin |
| Baltimore oriole |
| Barn swallow |
| Black-capped chickadee |
| Brown-headed cowbird |
| Brown thrasher |
| Black-throated green warbler |
| Black-and-white warbler |
| Blackburnian warbler* |
| Blue-gray gnatcatcher* |
| Blue jay |
| Blue-winged warbler |
| Canada goose |
| Carolina wren |
| Chipping sparrow |
| Chimney swift |
| Common eider |
| Common grackle |
| Common loon* |
| Common yellowthroat |
| Chestnut-sided warbler |
| Double-crested cormorant |
| Downy woodpecker |
| Eastern kingbird |
| Eastern towhee |
| European starling |
| Fish crow* |
| Greater black-backed gull |
| Great blue heron |
| Great-crested flycatcher |
| Gray catbird |
| Great egret |
| Greater yellowlegs |
| Herring gull |
| House finch |
| Hooded merganser |
| House sparrow |
| House wren |
| Killdeer |
| Laughing gull* |
| Least tern |
| Mallard |
| Magnolia warbler |
| Mourning dove |
| Northern bobwhite |
| Northern cardinal |
| Northern flicker |
| Northern mockingbird |
| Northern parula |
| Orchard oriole |
| Yellow warbler |
| Osprey |
| Ovenbird |
| Pine warbler |
| Red-bellied woodpecker |
| Red-winged blackbird |
| Red-eyed vireo |
| Ring-necked pheasant |
| Ruby-crowned kinglet |
| Ruby-throated hummingbird* |
| Ruddy turnstone |
| Saltmarsh sparrow* |
| Song sparrow |
| Swainson's thrush* |
| Tree swallow |
| Tufted titmouse |
| Veery |
| White-eyed vireo |
| Woodthrush |
| White-throated sparrow |
| Yellow warbler |
| Yellow-bellied sapsucker |
| Yellow-rumped warbler* |
We invite you to participate in our annual spring migratory bird count on Sunday, May 12th, as we observe the return of migratory birds to their northern breeding grounds after wintering in warmer climates.
Photo: Michele Klimczak
Join us in charting these bird populations alongside esteemed experts such as Dr. Adam Mitchell from Tarleton State University, and the University of Delaware team, including Emily Baisden and Will Almeida.
What: FI Conservancy 2024 Spring Migratory Bird Count
When: Sunday, May 12, 8am—10:30am
Where: Meet outside the Fishers Island Community Center & BYOBinocular
Following Audubon bird count rules, birders will make 15 five-minute stops from the West End to the East End of Fishers Island. At each timed stop, birders count birds and call out what they see. Our experts will lead the count and answer your questions about migratory birds.
We hope to see you at this fun, informative outdoor event, celebrating the spring season at Fishers Island.
FIConservancy Team
