Last migratory birds heading south

[AlaskaDenise]

Most migratory birds headed south in August and September, however some linger as late as possible (usually males).

It has been unusually warm - the lakes haven't the slightest layer of ice, the little snow that was dusting the mountain tops has melted, and it's been raining on the shores of the Arctic Ocean.

But the migratory birds know when things are about the change.

The nighttime temperatures have dipped 10 degrees in one night, and they will go down another 10 degrees over the next few days. Lakes will start to form some ice, so the birds......are finally leaving.

I saw formations of about 50 Trumpeter Swans and over a hundred Canada Geese leaving before the serious cold takes over their food sources. They have left their quiet lakes and flew high over Anchorage - headed for mountain passes, following the coast, finally making the trip south.

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[Snowy Owl]

Re: Last migratory birds heading south

Thank you Alaska Denise for boots on the ground observations.

Up here in Qu?bec the southern migration is almost over. This year on the North eastern Flyways of North America the migration started 3 weeks before the usual time and in smaller group. It has been notice by most of observers.

Elderly says usually this is a sign that cold weather will start soon and in a radical way.

Elderly have notice that there are less migratory birds than usual, and finally from my correspondances, it seems that migrators are not regroup as usual, they are a lot more confused than usual, quite many lose their way and find themselves isolated.

We have not noticed more death birds than usual.

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Last migratory birds heading south

Snowy:

My favorite place to find out what weather is happening in the entire northern hemisphere - from the north pole south - is the jet stream map at http://virga.sfsu.edu/gif/jetstream_norhem_00.gif

Seeing the birds flying high above the big city, it was obvious there would be no more stops at favorite little lakes. They had serious business at hand. It was good to know they had extra time to put on more fat.

Knowing what international baggage they carry within their stowaway viral genetics, a bird is no longer just a bird - they're globetrotting traders.

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[Jonesie]

Re: Last migratory birds heading south

"Bird Flu is not a problem now in the United States, because all of the birds have just left and flown down South. We can't catch it in the winter when all the birds are gone".

(Today's words of wisdom from my elderly neighbor.)

arty:​

 

[MHSC]

Re: Last migratory birds heading south

I'm in Michigan, we have seen fewer Canadian geese this year as well. Our little town is usually overrun by them, not this year, there we very few. We have not had any die, they just aren't here.
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[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Last migratory birds heading south

Perhaps they're having fewer offspring due to food availability timing issues.

With warming climates, the insects they need for food are maturing earlier leaving them less suitable for the birds. It may not kill all the birds, but they could be arriving in their nesting grounds with less nutrition and their bodies respond by producing fewer young.

Just a thought.

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[Shannon Bennett]

Re: Last migratory birds heading south

I have yet to see, or hear, a skein heading South yet over the skies of Oregon.

 

[Mellie]

Re: Last migratory birds heading south

They must be hiding out from you Shannon. We're a bit further south and they're stopping in here every evening. What a sight!

And otters in the marsh ponds. Sweet!

 

[Shannon Bennett]

Re: Last migratory birds heading south

I still haven't had any skeins fly over. Was it something I said? </IMG></IMG>

 

[MHSC]

Re: Last migratory birds heading south

Swan Watch volunteers start at Rieck?s Lake

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ALMA, Wis. ? Tundra swans are making their annual fall return to Rieck?s Lake three miles north of Alma in Buffalo County.

Volunteers will staff the lake?s observation deck from 10 a.m. to dusk today through Sunday. The volunteers can answer questions and help visitors use the spotting scopes and binoculars available at the deck through donations to the Swan Watch Organization.

The swans, which nest in the summer in Alaska and Canada, spend about 30 days each fall in the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge feeding on aquatic root tubers before moving on to the East Coast.

To check on the number of swans at Rieck?s Lake, go online to almaswanwatch.org or call the Swan Watch hot line at (608) 248-3499. Swan Watch also needs volunteers. Those interested can leave a message at the hot line or join the group at the observation deck from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, for a refresher course followed by a 5 p.m. potluck at the Lions Club in Alma.

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2006/10/19/news/z09swanwatch.txt

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Last migratory birds heading south

There are still swans in some of our water bodies close to the ocean. This photo is taken just outside Anchorage. Our Swan populations are split between flyways. These will be going down the Pacific flyway.

from http://www.adn.com/

Swans swim single file across a section of Potter Marsh last week. At least 15 of the stately birds could be seen there Oct. 11. Photo by MARC LESTER
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