Bird migration has always been a source of wonder for humanity and September is the prime month for movements in the fall. Most of the migration is unseen, taking place at night to avoid predation and allow for feeding during the daylight hours. Though it is unseen, on certain still nights, the overhead passage of species such as warblers and thrushes can be detected by the faint vocalizations they make as they fly. Usually this is late at night, so step outside on a still night before bedtime and listen.
For the Sunshine Coast and most other areas of Canada, this unseen migration results in an almost complete turnover of birds between summer and winter. Having said that, some species are truly resident here and individual members are present year round: herons, owls, woodpeckers, corvids, wrens, chickadees, towhees and some sparrows and finches. However, most of our summertime birds will be wintering to the south, from as near as the U.S. to as far as southern South America. These include such common summertime families as the swallows, flycatchers, warblers, vireos, thrushes, tanagers, blackbirds and again, some of the sparrows and finches.
The marine environment of the Sunshine Coast is virtually devoid of birds during the summer as the birds move away to their favoured breeding locations. Many species depart to freshwater locations in interior and northern B.C., Alberta, Yukon and NWT and these include loons, grebes, ducks and gulls. During September and October these species repopulate our area as they return ahead of the snow, ice and frigid temperatures.
The number of birds on the move is staggering. It is estimated that up to three billion birds migrate north in the spring into their breeding grounds in Canada’s boreal forests. The southbound fall movement of adults and offspring is estimated at five billion. It may appear that nothing is happening with our birds but there is actually an awful lot of traffic!
When the birds are on the move there is a better possibility of a rarity appearing in our area, so don’t be afraid to contact me. To report your sightings or questions contact [email protected] or 604-885-5539. Good Birding.
