I managed to compile a summary of observations and a few descriptive stats for the past autumnal season on Corvo.
A summary table of all individual records is presented below. The table focuses on species/individuals of Nearctic origin. In addition to those records, quite an impressive tally of Palearctic species were also reported, including some incredible records such as a Red-breasted Flycatcher and multiple Yellow-browed Warblers…
This year, an estimated 100+ birders visited this tiny island from mid-September to early November. The first Nearctic waterbird species was found on 12/09 (White-rumped Sandpiper) and the last one on 03/11 (American Bittern), while for Nearctic landbirds the season was less protracted with the first species found on 04/10 (Northern Harrier) and last on 24/10 (Magnolia Warbler).
Overall, no less than 29 American landbird species were reported, with a total estimated 102 different individuals. Thus, in terms of species richness, 2018 was as good as 2017 – and together those are the best two years ever experienced on Corvo! In addition, 13 American Waterbird species were found during the autumn, with a total estimated 30 different individuals, which sets 2018 as an average year for waterbirds.
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As can be seen from the two graphs below, most Nearctic landbird rarities were produced over the week 16-23 October. That week will probably remain in everyone’s memory (at least for those lucky birders present on the island!), particularly 16-17 October with 31 and 37 landbird individuals reported respectively, of which 22 and 20 were new findings for the day.
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| Daily totals of Nearctic individuals reported on Corvo (daily totals include both new birds for the day and birds found on a previous day and still present) |
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| Cumulative plot of Nearctic landbird individuals discovered on Corvo, 4-29 October 2018 (n = 102 records) |
Quality was also at the rendez-vous this year with a long list of extremely rare records for the Western Palearctic (WP): Blue Grosbeak (1st WP record); Eastern Wood Pewee (3rd WP record); Bay-breasted Warbler (3rd WP record); Wilson's Warbler (4th WP record; first for Azores); White-eyed Vireo (4th WP record); Lincoln's Sparrow (5th WP record); Wood Thrush (5th WP record); Yellow-throated Vireo (8th WP record), etc.
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| White-eyed Vireo, 4th WP record (all 4 records are from Corvo), 20 October 2018 (David Monticelli) |
A more complete account is currently in prep for publication on Birdguides in the next days!
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