Fall migration is well underway. It's nice to see some familiar faces and feathers as various species arrive. In my area (Northern California), one of the most plentiful visitors I have this time of year, the White-crowned Sparrow, is out in full force. The first one in my yard arrived about two weeks ago.
Join me below the fold and share what's happening in your neck of the woods, won't you?
First, a word about migration for our non-birding readers and those who are new to birding. Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat, or weather. Not all birds migrate and some are residents year-round in some areas, but many, many species migrate.
There is a spring migration and a fall migration. The primary motivation for migration appears to be food for self and brood sustenance. If food sources are abundant, birds may become resident, such as titmouses and chickadees. Some hummingbirds, for example, choose not to migrate if food is available through the winter. In mild climates like the SF Bay Area, Anna's Hummingbirds stay year-round. Also, the longer days of the northern summer provide extended time for breeding birds to feed their young. As the days shorten in fall, the birds return to warmer regions where the available food supply varies little with the season. (Thanks, Wikipedia.)
In my area, here are a few of my fall visitors. I hope you will share your own.
In addition to the White-crowned Sparrow shown above, a cousin who also visits in the fall is the Golden-crowned Sparrow seen here. These birds will eat everything they can to build up energy for their journey south.
How fat can a Golden-crowned Sparrow get? Here's a picture from a couple of years ago. I'm amazed it could get off the ground!
Here is the Dark-eyed Junco, one of my favorite fall visitors. This is the Oregon variety, so distinguished because of his darker black hood than others. Isn't he a cutie?
There is no fixed timetable for migration; it doesn't start on one fixed date and end on another. It varies by species and the weather and food availability play a big part. Some birds, like the wood warblers, pass through an area in the matter of a few weeks, while others, like the Sandhill Cranes, have already started arriving and a few will still be hanging around in February. If you know the particulars of migrating birds in your area, please share them so we all can learn.
Here's a Yellow Warbler photographed about 4 weeks ago. Most of these beauties have already moved on. If our friend tgypsy is around today, she may have some warbler photos to share from our shared geographic area.
Another warbler, this one a Wilson's Warbler. I wonder if Mr. Wilson wore a black toupee?
One of my favorite birds of all, the Cedar Waxwing, is also a fall visitor. These gorgeous birds travel in flocks and sit high up in tree branches, calling their high-pitched skreeee sound that is unmistakable. You always hear Cedar Waxwings before you see them.
Here's a single specimen . . .
And here's a flock that I just photographed yesterday morning.
Fall arrivals also include many shorebirds and wintering ducks, some of which have been showing up in my area in the last few weeks. If you have shoreline habitat, what are you seeing? We've got Greater Yellowlegs and Long-billed Dowitchers already, but the ducks haven't yet arrived in great numbers. But it won't be long.
Greater Yellowlegs
Long-billed Dowitchers
Other shorebirds that have started to arrive include various sandpipers. Sandpipers are a lovely and maddening group of birds, maddening because they are so darned difficult to identify, so similar do they look. Their distinguishing features are very difficult to discern. You know how mothers are the only ones who can tell their twins apart? I give you sandpipers. (Also gulls and empidonax flycatchers.) But here are a couple of sandpipers I do know, the Least Sandpiper seen yesterday at a local habitat. Aptly named, these little guys are only 6 inches long. Compare that to an American Robin at 10 inches and you get the idea. Itty bitty.
As I mentioned earlier upthread, the Sandhill Cranes have started arriving. Modest numbers so far, but they will swell to number in the thousands. Seeing roughly 5,000 of them descend in waves to roost for the night at sunset is one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had in my life. Here in Northern California, consider attending the Sandhill Crane Festival in Lodi on November 2, 3 & 4. Here's the link:http://www.cranefestival.com/
Here are a couple of views of the Sandhills taken last year. They're in a protected area and my lens didn't reach far enough to get better shots. But this year, I have a new lens and I can't wait to get down there and try again.
I've left out many other migrants and fall arrivals, but I'm hopeful you'll fill in the gaps.
What's happening where you are?