Blustery north winds brought in some Pine Siskins, but few other passerines were moving. Scaup numbers continue to increase with an estimated 10,000 seen off the Tip. It was the best night of owling in two years, with some of the crew at Old Cut staying up all night to band 59 Northern Saw-whet Owls. 17 October Banding between rain showers at Old Cut was fairly productive as a small wave of kinglets, Ruby-crowneds in particular, moved through the area. Big Creek and the causeway were fairly productive with a late Bobolink seen over the marsh.
Shorebird numbers continue to be quite high but diversity was low.
All the peeps were represented with up to 30 White-rumpeds and 5 Baird's Sandpipers and 1 Western. The Ruff was seen again in the late afternoon with a flock of about 100 Dunlin. Two Peregrine Falcons were seen at the Tip and a small raptor passage at Old Cut included a Merlin, Bald Eagle, and low numbers of Sharp-shinned Hawks and N. Harriers. Also seen off the point, were 40 Horned Grebes. It was relatively quiet for passerines there though 220 Pine Siskins were certainly notable.