2013 Fall Migration Begins

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