Date: 05/10/2006

Number: 1

Birding conditions were much improved on the island today. The
morning began with a brief reverse migration off Fish Point that saw
numbers of BALTIMORE ORIOLES (about 100), RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS
(lots), INDIGO BUNTINGS (15), BOBOLINKS (2), and a few YELLOW
WARBLERS, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS, and a SCARLET TANAGER, all
departing for the south. The reverse movement began at about 7:00 am and had mostly dropped off by 8:00 am.

We usually have 2 or 3 reverse migrations every May. It's an odd phenomenon with no definite explanation. Mostly I see them head south, into a headwind which doesn't make much sense. The birds fly all night, land exhausted on the island, then head south again! Possibly some of the birds will realize they've overshot their target but many birds reversing all boreal breeders who still have a ways to go. I'm hoping at some point to attach transmitters to some of these birds to see how far south they go and if they return the next day.

Pelee Island, ON

Latitude: 41.5 Longitude: -82.4

Observed by:
Contact Observer

The observer's e-mail address will not be disclosed.
Contact will be made through a web-based form.