051020 Pectoral Sandpiper
It was a chilly day but birding was good as it usually is during hard weather. Migrants are still passing through and songbirds and shorebirds are making themselves available for eBird counts. There have been at least two separate migrations for older and younger birds that were very apparent, especially with the Clay-colored Sparrow, both northern US and boreal forest breeders.
We have likely seen more shorebirds this year than last, even though we had more serious flooding last year. Birds have been traveling between raindrops, and it has not hurt shorebird travel, even though some are migrating a little later. Winter has been lasting a little longer in the northern regions, while in the south we didn't have much of a winter. We were still getting insects in January, which is generally the coldest month, and trees still saw some growth. The central north, middle atlantic, and northeast just saw snow within the past 24-48 hours.
If songbirds and shorebirds bide their time, it shouldn't hurt them too much, as it is necessary for many of them to feed their young insects. If they don't plan properly they could miss breeding if miscalculations occur, but they could also have more time to breed in the later summer and early fall. Many birds did this last year, which accounts for some of the late migratory movement, since the first year birds needed extra time to ready themselves due to their age.
This means that we must be especially vigilant when it comes to having lights out overnight for what appears to be an extended spring migration. Light pollution makes it more difficult for birds to concentrate on the normal migratory perils without adding other things to the equation. They don't need reflections of grass and trees in glass to give them a false sense of hope that clear land is ahead. Please remind businesses that we must help our birds and insects help us between April and June 1.
051120 Yellow Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Last night we received 0.07" of rain which was enough to have some birds take to the land for the night. According to the forecast, we could be getting more rain, and that only means that we could be seeing new migrants again tomorrow.
Birders have been recording numerous songbirds, which include vireos, flycatchers, warblers, grosbeaks, and more. In Oklahoma, we've been seeing many rarities and birds that we only see every several years. Even the irruptive birds over the years have been spending more time in the south. However, there is a definite method to what the Cedar Waxwings are doing. They know where every winter fruit tree and every mulberry tree and bush are located in the region. They are late breeders and should be on their way north no later than June 4. If they stay longer, they could be considering breeding here in the future.
Did anyone notice that this is a cooler spring this year? El Nino affected the oceans a little last year, so this year, we pay for that. Most likely the only ones that were really overjoyed with those warmer oceans were the birders that were in the Boreal Forest, Alaska, and the High Boreal Forest last year. They really saw some outstanding irruptives.
Now that Central Oklahoma was hit hard with warblers, Bobolinks, and other birds, more birders had the opportunity to see many more treats that they usually don't get to see. Yesterday and today we had many more Yellow Warblers than usual, MacGillivray's Warbler of the west was here a couple of weeks ago, the Blackpoll Warbler has had more birds avail themselves to us, and the Rose-breasted Grosbeak was a little more "common."
What shall we hear about next? Let me know, and I'll get the word out! Keep your eyes on the ground and your head in the clouds. Happy birding!
