Orioles were reported in 4 new states in the past week. Do orioles move north as leaf-out occurs? Review tomorrow's leaf- out report and see whether you think these events are related. Buds are very high in energy so, as leaf-out occurs, the insects that eat leaves appear in great numbers. These insects can be a welcome meal to migratory birds.
Once again we've included reports of migrating ruby-throated hummingbirds, another bird now returning from the neotropics. By April 25th, hummingbirds had already reached Michigan's Lower Peninsula! Check a weather map and find out how warm it was there on the 25th. Do you think there are many flowers in Michigan now? What do you suppose the hummers will eat?
Remember, when you see your first oriole or hummingbird this spring, please send your report to: jn-report@learner.org
As you're sure to believe after reading this lengthy report, May is migration month for millions and millions of birds. In fact, International Migratory Bird Day will be celebrated next Saturday, May 11 in communities across North America. Contact your local nature center and find out how you can participate. This will be a great chance to see migratory birds with people who know where to look.
The 5th annual North American Migration Count will also take place on May 11. On that day, thousands of volunteers will attempt to create a "snapshot" of migration by counting numbers of migratory birds in a single day.
Thanks to David Aborn for today's weather lesson!
Try This!
To: Journey North
From: David Aborn, University of Southern Mississippi
Dear Students:
A cold front moved across the country over the weekend, and while the
winds behind it were from the north, the were not very storng and only
lasted one day. Nonetheless, some birds were forced to land, and our
Louisiana study site captured over 80 birds. At our past study sites in
Mississippi, strong north winds have resulted in the capture of 200+
migrants in a single day!
A stronger front moved through on Monday. I have not heard from the Louisiana folks yet, but I bet they had big days on Tuesday and Wednesday. I did some birding here in Hattiesburg, and I saw quite a few migrants. There are Wood Thrushes everywhere, and I also saw lots of Black-throated Green Warblers, and Indigo Buntings. I did not see any orioles, but I'm sure there were some around. The best bird I saw was a male Painted Bunting. If you have never seen one, you have really missed a spectacular sight.
If you look at today's weather map, there are really no fronts across the country. The north winds along the Gulf coast have shifted to the south today, so most migrants will be able to continue flying inland. Birders and researchers can expect low numbers of birds, but that doesn't mean there are not birds around. Warblers, thrushes, and orioles should be seen. In general, things look pretty slow until next week. Unfortunately, it won't be long before spring migration comes to an end, so enjoy it while it lasts.
Take care.
David A. Aborn
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Migratory species must overcome countless challenges along their journey to your backyard each spring. Students at Innoko River School in Shageluk, Alaska enjoyed answering Challenge Question #91 "In what ways is a migration like a long car trip?". Their answers can be found at the end of this report.
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REPORTS FROM OBSERVERS
This information was collected by people who participate in the
"National Birding Hotline Cooperative", a telephone network through
which bird watchers track migration. Throughout the U.S. and Canada,
knowledgeable volunteers collect this information, submit it by
telephone and then put it on the Internet.
NORTHERN ORIOLES:
>From TENNESSEE:
April 20, 1996
A half day of birding in Cheatham County (North of Columbia) on the 20th
produced 7 BALTIMORE ORIOLES
>From DISRICT OF COLUMBIA area:
April 21, 1996
Orioles and tanagers arrived this past week. Two male BALTIMORE ORIOLEs
were seen at Riverbend Park, VA , on Apr 21, and one was reported from
there the following day.
>From TENNESSEE:
April 23, 1996
There are several reports of BALTIMORE ORIOLES (formerly NORTHERN and
before that BALTIMORE!) using hummingbird feeders. One from Pegram in
Cheatham County (North of Columbia) on the 23rd tells of a female oriole
removing a RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD from a feeder and then feeding itself.
In Woodbury, Cannon County (East of Murfreesboro), an oriole has returned
to a feeder for the 3rd year.
>From MISSOURI:
April 26, 1996
Returning BALTIMORE ORIOLE were also seen at the Katy Trail parking lot
at McBaine , Boone Co.(North of Columbia, Mo.).
>From NEW YORK:
April 29, 1996
(Syracuse area) The first few BALTIMORE ORIOLES have been seen, and local
breeders are also returning to establish territories.
>From NEW JERSEY
May 1
According to the New Jersey Audubon Society, there was a NORTHERN
ORIOLE at Great Swamp on May 1st.
***********************************************
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS:
>From NEW JERSEY:
April 5, 1996
According to the New Jersey Audubon Society, the first RUBY-THROATED
HUMMINGBIRDS appeared on April 5. By April 10, one was regular at a
feeder in Cape May Point (Cape May). Others have been arriving this
week, and they will take up residence where there's a steady source
of food. Males return first to set up territories.
>From TENNESSEE:
April 14 & 15, 1996
>From Northeast Tennessee on the 14th comes a report of a male RUBY-THROATED
HUMMINGBIRD in Holston Valley, Sullivan County (NE of Johnson City).
And two male RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS came to a feeder in Centerville (NW of Columbia) on the 15th.
>From MARYLAND:
April 17, 1996
Reports of landbirds were especially numerous this past week, and
included many new arrivals. A RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD was reported from
a feeder in Bowie, Prince Georges Co, MD (NE of Washington, DC), on Apr 17.
There were also reports of RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD from yards in Dunkirk, Calvert Co, MD (SE of Washington, DC), and Bethesda, Montgomery Co, MD, on Apr 22, and from the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, MD (North of Washington, DC), the same day.
From NORTH CAROLINA:
April 18
One of the librarians reported that the hummingbirds have returned
to his feeder on April 18. Another has hung a bat house to
encourage the bats to make their home near hers and eat the insects.
We have some yellow and black butterflies but no monarchs have been
sighted yet. The tulips are also in full bloom this week, as are
the dogwoods. The temperatures have been in the 70's during the day
but it still gets cold (30's) at night. Gardens are being planted
with caggage, onions, lettuce and other greens. I've enjoyed
watching spring arrive in all the communities.
Elizabeth Vihnanek, Educational Resources Librarian
Reporting from Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC
(near Smoky Mountain National Park/Elevation about 200 ft.)
VIHNANEK@WCUVAX1.WCU.EDU
>From MISSOURI:
April 18, 1996
Migrants returning this past week included a RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD,
Christian Co.,(SE of Springfield).
>From TENNESSEE:
April 17 & 19, 1996
In Midtown, Memphis (SW of Knoxville), on the 19th, RUBY-THROATED
HUMMINGBIRD was spotted .Another yard on the 17th had quite a collection of
birds including a RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.
>From VIRGINIA:
April 19, 1996
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on 4/19/96 in Suffolk, VA (SW of Portsmouth) 1 seen.
>From DELAWARE:
April 21, 1996
On Sunday, April 21st,In southern Delaware, along the Nanticoke River near
Laurel (SW of Georgetown) was a RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.
>From DISRICT OF COLUMBIA area:
April 19 & 22, 1996
The Phoenix Pond and Fire Trail areas host a parade of migrants this time of
year -- on April 19th, April 22nd one of which a RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS made a first appearance this year at an Eldersburg, Carroll County (NW of Baltimore), feeder on April 22.
>From MISSOURI:
April 23-25, 1996
on April 23. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS have moved from Christian
Co.(SE of Springfield) last week to Boone Co.(North of Columbia) on
April 25.
>From TENNESSEE:
April 23, 1996
On April 23rd at the Cheatham Wildlife Management Area (North of Columbia)
there were 75 species counted.including RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS which
were feeding on large stands of Columbine.
>From NEW JERSEY:
April 25, 1996
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS are fairly regular at feeders and gardens
now. Males return first and set up territories, then females follow.
Since our hummingbird gardens are pretty sparse to non-existent
right now, be sure to hang your feeders if you want hummers to stay
and nest in your yard. But realize the task you are taking on ...
feeders need to cleaned out thoroughly each week and refilled with
fresh solution. In the spring you only need to put 1-2 inches of
solution in your feeders. Flowering Quince or Joponica is in bloom,
a favorite with hungry hummingbirds. (Credit: New Jersey Audubon
Society.)
>From MICHIGAN:
April 25, 1996
Many regular migrants were reported this week in the Lower
Peninsula including RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS.
>From TENNESSEE:
April 25, 27 & 28, 1996
(Nashville area)
A yard on Love Circle on the 25th had a RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.
At Owl's Hill Nature Center, Williamson County, on the 27th there were several RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS.
Another Nashville yard on the 27th contained RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.
A male RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD was seen there on the 28th engaged in its courtship display, flying in a large arc up and down, at least 6 times.
>From PENNSYLVANIA:
April 28, 1996
In southern Chester Co.(West of Philadelphia) last weekend, 8 species of
warblers were found along the Big Elk Creek. Among the birds seen were
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.
>From Eastern MASSACHUSETTS:
April 28, 1996
and two Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in Wareham (NE of New Bedford).
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Response to Challenge Question #91
>From ALASKA:
In what ways is migration like a long car trip?
My students got a kick out of this question because in the Interior of Alaska we don't take long car rides for our "migration". We are migrators with small aircraft all year long, snowmachines in the winter and boats in the summer. When we answered this question we thought about our "migrating" travels from village to village or into Anchorage.
Here are some of the responses from the Middle School kids:
Just like when snowmachine runs out of gas a bird can run out of energy. (Kelly Sue Workman, Grade 5)
I will feel good but I'll get cold. Like if we run out of gas in the boat a bird can run out of breath, and we might have to swim or walk. (Leroy Benjamin, Grade 4)
I would get hungry, cold and sleepy. I might be hungry. I might even get bored. (Amber John, Grade 4)
The migration is like a blustery, long, cold, windy, snowmachine trip. Your feet might fall asleep. You might feel lazy and tired with nothing to do but fly. (Sonta Hamilton, Grade 4)
There might be dangers. (Dwayne Benjamin, Grade 7)
A migrator can get stiff and sore. (Steven John, Grade 7)
Watching the skies,
Joyanne Hamilton, Innoko River School
Shageluk, Alaska TSJMH1@acad1.alaska.edu
The Next Oriole Migration Update Will be Posted on May 9, 1996
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