Status and Abundance of Blackpoll Warblers in Autumn on the Coast of the Southeastern United States: An Update

Douglas B. McNair^1,* and Ian C.T. Nisbet²

¹35 Rowell Road, Wellfleet, MA 02667. ²I.C.T. Nisbet and Company, 150 Alder Lane, North Falmouth, MA 02556. *Corresponding author.

Southeastern Naturalist, Volume 19, Issue 2 (2020): 241–255

Abstract
Setophaga striata (Blackpoll Warbler) has previously been reported as scarce to rare in autumn along the southeastern coast of the United States. We compiled recent data from banding stations (1978–2018) and sight reports since 1992 that confirm the species is generally rare in this area, except for occasional “falls” in adverse weather. Three-quarters of sight reports have occurred as single individuals, and the highest counts have never exceeded 30 Blackpolls. Aside from a higher proportion of adult birds at Cape Florida compared to other banding stations, most records have been of immature birds with low body masses, inconsistent with departures on long nonstop flights. A recent report that adult Blackpoll Warblers tracked with geolocators stopped over and departed on transoceanic migration from locations along this coast was probably erroneous.

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