fall migration

Fall Migration Notes

Fall Migration, and Bluebirds

Fall Migration is underway, and it is making birding fun in the Mid-State! While birding along the Cumberland River this past weekend, I spotted several Great Egrets working the marshy sections off the main channel. Whilst exploring a pull-off near Cheatham Dam, my attention was drawn to a large Cyprus tree where I noticed several Yellow-rumped Warblers flitting between the roots. These are just a few of the numerous species that are passing through our area every day. Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Chimney Swift, Common Nighthawk, Summer Tanager are also being seen and heard daily.

Tennessee Warbler

Photo by Eli Haislip

Lights Out Program:

Did you know that many species actually migrate under the cover of darkness? According to BirdCast, the list of expected nocturnal migrants for this area includes Yellow-rumped Warbler, Summer Tanager, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Black-throated Green Warbler, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and many other species. In Davidson County alone on the night of October 1st into the morning of October 2nd, BirdCast, using weather radar, was able to detect an estimated 8,900,000 birds flying overhead! But how are these birds able to traverse distances of thousands of miles, mostly at night? Certain species, such as Indigo Buntings, have been proven to navigate using the stars! There is also evidence showing that thanks to short-lived molecules found in the bird’s eyes, known as radical pairs, they are actually able to visualize Earth’s magnetic field! Unfortunately, despite these incredible adaptations, birds migrating at night are extremely susceptible to light pollution. They can become disoriented and confused by bright lights, and with many song birds flying between 500-2500 feet, this can lead to collisions with buildings and electrical/communication towers which usually prove fatal.

Fortunately, there are things we can do to help. During peak migration months (September-early November) turning off non-essential lights from 11:00PM-6:00AM can greatly help. In addition, closing your blinds at night, dimming or pointing outdoor lighting down, and turning off outdoor decorative lighting can all have a positive impact in helping migratory birds reach their destination.

Bluebirds Exploring Boxes

Yesterday morning as I was getting into my car, I noticed a flurry of activity at my bluebird box. There was a pair of bluebirds taking turns perching on the box and looking inside it. This is actually quite a common occurrence this time of year, with us receiving multiple reports each fall of Bluebirds checking out boxes. We are not entirely sure what causes them to do this, although it could be a variety of factors; similar amounts of daylight to the spring, searching for prospective future nest sites, or identifying suitable spots to shelter on cold winter nights. Remember, it is always a good practice to clean the box after each nesting, so clean those boxes and keep your eyes peeled for this throwback to spring.

Eastern Bluebirds checking out a bluebird box on an October morning

Photo by Eli Haislip

Wood Thrush Notes

Fall Migration and BIRDCAST

Fall Migration is underway and while your seed and suet feeders will typically slow down now through October, birdwatching in the area will be significantly more interesting because migration is in full swing.

When spending time outdoors have your binoculars with you and ready because Warblers, Tanagers, Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Flycatchers are pouring through middle Tennessee stopping to feed in the mornings on insects and berries, and at birdbaths. Pay particular attention to birdbaths and fountains as many of these birds seek out good water sources to take advantage of.

Mornings are best to see lots of different species because most migrants are traveling at night. They settle down to rest and feed in the morning.

Look for large if not massive flocks of Chimney Swifts and Common Nighthawk in the evenings commonly seen in areas near downtown or where there is ample night lighting like high school football games.

BIRDCAST

Did you know that radar used to track weather systems is also used to track bird movements? I suggest you check out BirdCast at birdcast.info. BirdCast is a project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Colorado State University, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. BirdCast applies weather surveillance radar to gather information on the numbers, flight directions, speeds, and altitudes of birds aloft in order to expand the understanding of migratory bird movement. Just last night, Sept. 28, an estimated 956,000 birds flew over Davidson Co.! And that number will increase as we approach the usual strongest time of migration in the month of October. BirdCast has live migration alerts in real-time and even projects what species are most likely flying over us on a given night. Their findings have been eye-opening and very interesting, to say the least. To summarize all the interesting information provided by BirdCast would be impossible. I urge you to check out this site. Wonderful!

Wood Thrush Notes

End of Summer-Early Fall Notes

We have received more than a few calls recently regarding the very noticeable slowdown at feeders in recent weeks. The degree of slowdown may vary each year but without a doubt September and October are the two slowest bird feeding months of the year. My 28 years of tracking sales data backs this statement up. We always sell far less seed and suet during these two months. So why does it slow down?

There are two reasons why feeder activity slows down at this time. Feeder activity is at peak level during the breeding-nesting season, between the months of March and July. We get used to the abundance of birds visiting our feeders and many of us are filling feeders frequently, every other day if not more. While nesting and raising young birds take full advantage, but do not rely on our feeders. Raising young takes a tremendous amount of energy and rather than having to forage for food at greater distances they will increase their visits to feeders exponentially, thereby staying closer to the nest and their valuable offspring. And many of our feeder birds will nest twice per breeding season. So, the first reason for the slowdown is the breeding season for our year round and summer resident birds has long been over, for at least a month and a half. The need for “extra” food has passed.

The second reason is by the end of summer and beginning of fall plants are producing seeds, nuts, and fruit. Beneficial insects chocked with protein are still very much available. Instinctually, birds cannot pass up the abundance of natural foods and variety now available. Therefore, the feeders that were important to them in the spring and summer become less important now. With no young to attend to they have little to do but feed on what nature is offering and to cache food for later use. Sure, you will still get birds visiting your feeders but not like during the breeding season. This would also explain why we rarely see Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at our feeders in the fall on their return trip to the tropics, when they are such prominent feeder birds in spring. Natural food is everywhere and unless something occurs to prevent food production, like a drought, birds will gravitate to it before going to feeders.

As much as the business owner side of me hates to see the slowdown I also appreciate the opportunity to point out birds do not rely on or survive on our feeders, as many people mistakenly believe.

Experience says by mid-November, or earlier if there are a couple of good frosts, you will see a return to busy feeders. So, don’t think something has happened to our birds. It really is just birds being wild animals acting on thousands of years of instinct. They will return to your feeders. By the way, this slowdown is a great opportunity to give your feeders a thorough cleaning.

Molting

Have you been finding feathers around your yard, or maybe seen some really funky looking Cardinals or Bluejays recently? Seeing Cardinals or Jays with an alarming lack of feathers on their heads is quite common after the breeding season.

Molting is the process by which birds lose damaged or worn out feathers with new ones providing them not only with healthy new feathers but often a new look to their plumage in the form of new colors or patterns that may indicate a bird’s age, sex, or season of the year.  Feathers are comparable to our hair or nails made from the same basic ingredient, keratin.  

Molt is not a “one size fits all” occurrence.  There is great variation by species and even by individual from year to year.  While molt is associated with this time of year any time a bird loses a feather a new one will immediately begin to grow in its place. 

Occasionally, Cardinals and Bluejays will lose all their head feathers in a short amount of time and while it takes a while for the new ones to grow in the result will be a bald bird.  I’ve seen a number of male Cardinals recently that were in between bald and the emergence of new feathers.  They look rather odd as their heads under the feathers are dark gray to black.

Molting Cardinal

Hummingbirds Getting Plump

I’ve seen some chubby hummers at the feeders lately as they continue to feed heavily and store fat for their long journey.  There’s plenty of time remaining to enjoy hummingbirds as they prepare for their return to Central and South America.  While you may have already seen a reduction in numbers of hummers at your feeders keep in mind Ruby-throated hummingbirds continue to head south from as far as Canada.  These very birds may show up at your feeders at some point weeks from now so keep the fresh nectar coming and your feeders clean.  Earlier in September I was in Maine and had several sightings of hummingbirds.  Isn’t it amazing when you consider the distance traveled by these little dynamos?

Wood Thrush Notes

Reminder: Important Store Hours Update

We are closing for a couple of days. On Saturday, October 15 we will close at 2 pm and re-open Wednesday, October 19.

Hummingbirds and other Migrant

A few weeks ago we mentioned BirdCast, a project by Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Colorado State University, and UMass Amherst, to track bird migration using radar. Click here to visit birdcast.info

Mid-October is peak time for songbird migration through middle TN as neo-tropical migrants’ are going back to Central and South America. BirdCast estimates that while you were sleeping 3,675,600 birds crossed Davidson County last night. Yes, that’s 3 million from just after sunset until Friday morning just before 7 am. The high traffic count of birds in flight was 570,000. Across the country billions of birds migrate at night in spring and fall. City lights are a very real threat to bird migration as they are attracted to the lights and collide with windows. Bird Safe Nashville has begun a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of city lights and to encourage businesses and homeowners to turn off exterior lighting during peak times of migration. For more information visit www.birdsafenashville.org

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are still being seen in small numbers. Even though you may not have seen any for a few weeks we suggest keeping a feeder up with small amounts of fresh nectar. My late date to observe a Ruby-throated hummingbird in my yard in Cheatham Co. is October 25. There is also a chance you may see a different species of hummer appear at your feeder. Practically every year we have a customer or two that gets a western U.S. hummer, like a Rufous or Anna’s at a feeder they have left out into the months of November and December. Maybe this year it will be you.

Have a great weekend and wherever you go bring your binoculars.

Wood Thrush Notes

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks Visiting Feeders

What a pleasant surprise to see 6 to 8 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks on my feeders this morning. They were really getting after the Woodland Blend in my platform feeder. And we have heard from a number of you that have Grosbeaks, too. Not one of them was an adult, however, but juveniles just born this past spring-summer. How do you tell? The adult male, of course, is very distinctive with black and white wings and back, a black hood, and white underneath with a blazing red v on the chest. The adult female plumage is less distinctive being primarily brown and white giving the appearance of a large female Purple finch. The most recognizable feature of the adult female is the prominent white eye brow. The juveniles are a mix of these plumages, especially the males. Juvenile males can look quite different from one another even as they may possess more or less of various adult male and female field marks.

Adult Male RBG

Adult Female RBG

Juvenile RBG

It’s not every fall that Rose-breasted Grosbeaks take advantage of bird feeders. We know that they converge on feeders for roughly a month from mid-April to mid-May as they migrate to their breeding grounds from Central and South America, but in the fall they seem to be satisfied with seeds that have been produced by nature. It’s been a few years since I have seen them at my feeders in the fall. I can only surmise that the dry conditions this year did not produce an abundance of what they typically forage on, making the feeders more appealing. It’s nice to see them but I think I would rather have the rain.

Don’t forget we have begun distributing Rewards Cards in store. There’s no signing up or providing personal information. Just bring your card to be stamped with purchase and save. Easy.

Links

Subscribe

* indicates required
I am interested in receiving e-mails for

Intuit Mailchimp