We've been visiting Minor Clark Fish Hatchery every weekend since migration started. Last fall shorebirds only paused a there day or so before hurrying south, but this year they've been taking their time. Must be a good weather sign.

One day I noticed a flock of Black Terns in various stages of molt, swarming like gulls high above the largest fish breeding pools.

8-22-09, 9:52 a.m.
{{gwi:1375537}}From Fall Migrants
{{gwi:1375538}}From Fall Migrants
{{gwi:1375539}}From Fall Migrants

While I was looking around, the whole flock skimmed low over the fence, then from pool to pool, diving directly on fish, or climbing up to 20 ft, hovering briefly, then diving.

Sometimes they flashed past me within a few yards, but getting a close-up photo proved daunting as they moved at blurring speed, darting like dragonflies. Then as suddenly as they appeared, they vanished again.

I looked around at the other birds at the hatchery; Giant Canada Geese hang around all year
{{gwi:1375540}}From Fall Migrants

Also saw a juvenile Eastern Phoebe
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a 1st year Cedar Waxwing
{{gwi:1375542}}From Fall Migrants

a fledgling White-eyed Vireo
{{gwi:1375543}}From Fall Migrants

a juvenile Eastern Wood-Pewee
{{gwi:1375544}}From Fall Migrants

a juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper
{{gwi:1375545}}From Fall Migrants
{{gwi:1375546}}From Fall Migrants

as well as shore birds I'd already photographed.

The next day, on the way to Louisville for the KY State Fair, we stopped early by the fish hatchery again in hopes of a better photo of a Black Tern.

8-23-09, Early morning fog at Minor Clark Fish Hatchery, 8:15 a.m.
{{gwi:1375547}}From Fall Migrants

I was able to get one passable photo when the tern flock swooped around me

8-23-09, Minor Clark Fish Hatchery, nonbreeding Black Tern, 8:40 a.m.
{{gwi:1375548}}From Fall Migrants

When we returned that Saturday I followed a warbler along the lagoon

9-5-09, Minor Clark Fish Hatchery, female Yellow Warbler
{{gwi:1375550}}From Fall Migrants
{{gwi:1375551}}From Fall Migrants

The juvenile Broad-winged Hawk hiding in tree
{{gwi:1375552}}From Fall Migrants

juvenile Least Sandpiper
{{gwi:1375553}}From Fall Migrants

C'mon outta there!
{{gwi:1375554}}From Fall Migrants

Gotcha!
{{gwi:1375555}}From Fall Migrants

Semipalmated Plover
{{gwi:1375556}}From Fall Migrants

juvenile Semipalmated Plover using "vibrating foot" to find food
{{gwi:1375558}}From Fall Migrants

Adult Pectoral Sandpiper getting lunch
{{gwi:1375560}}From Fall Migrants

juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpipers..LIFERS! (At least, I don't remember seeing them before)
{{gwi:1375562}}From Fall Migrants

juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper bathing
{{gwi:1375563}}From Fall Migrants
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The next weekend we stopped by the fish hatchery again

9-13-09, fish hatchery, Turkey Vultures, 9:32 a.m.
{{gwi:1375568}}From Fall Migrants

Does and fawn
{{gwi:1375571}}From Fall Migrants

nonbreeding male Magnolia Warbler in bushes beside fish hatchery lagoon
{{gwi:1375572}}From Fall Migrants

1st winter female Magnolia Warbler
{{gwi:1375573}}From Fall Migrants

9-15-09, Cuddeback cam by our pond, young Bobcat, 4:47 a.m.
{{gwi:1375574}}From Fall Migrants

I began hanging out along the warbler creek crossings on our farm

9-17-09, woods by our creek, female Black-throated Green Warbler, 1:45 p.m.
{{gwi:1375575}}From Fall Migrants

9-18-09, our tulip tree, male Blackburnian Warbler, 9:49 a.m.
{{gwi:1375576}}From Fall Migrants

9-18-09, walnut tree behind house, 1st fall male Scarlet Tanager, 9:51 a.m.
{{gwi:1375577}}From Fall Migrants

9-18-09, our tulip poplar, male Yellow-throated Vireo (probably 1st fall), 10:17 a.m.
{{gwi:1375578}}From Fall Migrants
{{gwi:1375580}}From Fall Migrants

Our last visit to the fish hatchery got another LIFER for me (I think)

9-19-09, Minor Clark Fish Hatchery, Baird's Sandpiper, 8:42 a.m.
{{gwi:1375582}}From Fall Migrants
{{gwi:1375584}}From Fall Migrants

Solitary Sandpiper with breakfast
{{gwi:1375585}}From Fall Migrants
{{gwi:1375586}}From Fall Migrants

juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper
{{gwi:1375587}}From Fall Migrants
{{gwi:1375588}}From Fall Migrants

American Pipit strolling on the bank of a fish breeding pond-I'd never seen one before in Kentucky!
{{gwi:1375590}}From Fall Migrants

Hey! I'm WALkin here!
{{gwi:1375592}}From Fall Migrants

Savannah Sparrow, who seemed to be posing for me
{{gwi:1375593}}From Fall Migrants

juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper
{{gwi:1375594}}From Fall Migrants

adult and juvenile Pectoral Sandpipers
{{gwi:1375595}}From Fall Migrants
{{gwi:1375596}}From Fall Migrants

9-19-09, Minor Clark Fish Hatchery, Solitary Sandpiper, 11:12 a.m.
{{gwi:1375597}}From Fall Migrants

Back at our house, I kept an eye out for fall activity-

9-22-09, squirrel in our walnut tree
{{gwi:1375598}}From Fall Migrants

I stake out the warbler crossings by the creek, but soaked my clothes and took a bath in water with a glug of tea tree oil to prevent insect bites. I listen for the noisy approach of mixed flocks of Carolina Chickadees and Tufted Titmice because the warblers travel with them while in the area.

This time, the flock came from the woods across the creek and didn't notice me next to the Horse Weed, which they love.

9-22-09, male Magnolia Warbler
{{gwi:1375600}}From Fall Migrants

1st fall male Magnolia Warbler
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9-22-09, TN Warbler
{{gwi:1375602}}From Fall Migrants

male TN Warbler
{{gwi:1375603}}From Fall Migrants
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The flock of warblers moved on and I looked up

9-22-09, juvenile Eastern Phoebe, 1:28 p.m.
{{gwi:1375605}}From Fall Migrants

Further down the creek I noticed bird movements in the branches

9-22-09, juvenile Red-eyed Vireo, 1:55 p.m.
{{gwi:1375606}}From Fall Migrants