Nature
Notes for August 23, 2013
The
CNE opens, evenings are cool, back-to-school ads appear … and birders’ thoughts
turn toward migration.
Although
southbound migrants have been on the move since early July, late August to
early September is the time when birders become twitchy. Few unusual birds of
note have appeared so far in this area, but there is always the possibility.
Sometimes
young birds seem to have a faulty compass and travel in unexpected directions.
Sometimes migrants get caught up in storm systems and are carried into areas
where they don’t normally occur.
The
first migrants to move south are usually the shorebirds which breed in the high
Arctic. Most of these birds have long migrations, from breeding grounds in the
Arctic to wintering grounds in South America. There is not much shorebird
habitat in Northumberland County. The weather this summer has, so far, been
remarkably storm free. There has been no reason for these migrants to land and
rest. In good weather, they will travel very long distances without landing.
Some
shorebirds are appearing on the beaches at Presqu’ile, but so far not in large
numbers and no rare species in the mix. Although they start to migrate in July,
they will continue to do so until well into October. The most unusual shorebird
to appear locally was a Red-necked Phalarope which was seen off the west beach
in Port Hope one day last week.
For
the past couple of weeks, large mixed species flocks of swallows have been
congregating on roadside utility wires. This is the precursor to their
departure. Most will be gone from this area by the first week of September.
Most Tree Swallows stop at the Gulf coast, but the Purple Martins continue on
to Brazil.
On
August 11, my husband and I visited the Nature Conservancy’s Hazel BirdReserve. There were Eastern Kingbirds everywhere. We didn’t keep count, but we
were seldom out of earshot of these medium sized flycatchers. They, too, are
heading for South America. There were many fewer around last weekend.
Late
August through September is the main time of the warbler migration. Warblers
are not as brightly coloured as in the spring and the males don’t sing much at
this time of year, so they can be more difficult to detect. They usually travel
in mixed species flocks which can also include Black-capped Chickadees,
Red-breasted Nuthatches and several of the small flycatchers.
There
are more Ruby-throated Hummingbirds around just now. Most of them are migrants.
They can often be found feeding in patches of blooming jewelweed as well as in
gardens and at backyard feeders.
Raptor
migration usually starts in early September and continues into early November.
Hawks and falcons move in the daylights hours. Hawk watches often report large
numbers of diurnal songbirds, too, such as Northern Flickers, American Robins,
Blue Jays, and several species of blackbirds. Although some of the latter
remain around through the winter, many migrate south to winter in the
continental U.S.
Two
events are scheduled in Northumberland to help observers learn more about
migrants and migration.
August
31 and September 1: Monarchs and Migrants at Presqu’ile Provincial Park in
Brighton offers guided hikes for shorebirds and songbirds, as well as bird
banding demonstration (weather permitting). For more details,
check: www.friendsofpresquile.on.ca
September
7: Prairie Day at Alderville Black Oak Savanna offers a variety of activities
including guided hikes through the property, make a “cookie” containing native
prairie seeds, bird banding and entertainment. Follow them on Facebook
