Beneath the lengthening days and burgeoning greenery of late spring, a outstanding pure phenomenon is unfolding, largely unseen and unheard by most. It’s a hidden fowl migration. Whereas the dramatic southward actions of autumn usually seize our consideration with flocks in opposition to the skyline, a extra delicate but equally important journey is going down proper now. Numerous birds, many adorned of their brightest breeding plumage, are arriving from distant lands, their wings carrying them to our native parks, gardens, and woodlands. This isn’t a mass arrival, however a gradual infiltration, a quiet settling in as these avian vacationers hunt down prime breeding territories and put together to lift the following era. This text will unveil the secrets and techniques of this late spring migration, shedding gentle on the unbelievable journeys undertaken and why, regardless of its significance, it usually goes unnoticed by the informal observer.
Whereas many are accustomed to iconic spring migrants like warblers, orioles, and tanagers, the US hosts an interesting array of lesser-known birds that additionally undertake vital journeys in late spring to achieve their breeding grounds. These species is likely to be much less conspicuous as a result of their habitat preferences, conduct, or just because they arrive barely later within the season, after the preliminary wave of extra frequent migrants. Listed here are some examples of those often-overlooked late spring migrants.
The Late Arriving Flycatchers
Whereas some flycatchers arrive earlier, a number of species have a tendency to point out up in larger numbers in late spring (mid-Could into June), usually after the majority of the warbler migration has handed. They are often much less vocal than warblers upon arrival, making them simpler to overlook.
Olive-sided Flycatcher
The Olive-sided Flycatcher undertakes an extended spring migration from its wintering grounds, primarily within the mid-elevations of the Andes Mountains in South America, with some additionally wintering in Central America and southern Mexico. Their northward journey usually sees them passing by way of Central America and Mexico. They then enter the US, with completely different populations heading in direction of their varied breeding grounds.
Western populations usually transfer up by way of Mexico and the western United States to achieve breeding areas within the coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest, the Rocky Mountains, and elements of California. Jap populations, nevertheless, are prone to observe a route additional east by way of Central America and Mexico, arriving within the boreal forests of Canada and the northeastern United States. Throughout migration, they are often present in a wide range of wooded habitats with open areas and tall perches, usually close to water sources the place flying bugs are ample.
This flycatcher, with its distinctive “pip-pip-pip” tune (usually described as “fast three beers!”), prefers the perimeters of coniferous forests and clearings. They arrive comparatively late and perch conspicuously on excessive snags whereas foraging for bugs. Their numbers have been declining, making every sighting extra particular.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher undertakes a comparatively late spring migration, with most people passing by way of the US in mid to late Could. Their migration is primarily by way of the jap elements of the continent, even for these breeding in far western Canada. They transfer north from their wintering grounds in southern Mexico and Central America, touring by way of the jap U.S. in direction of their breeding grounds within the boreal forests of Canada and the northeastern United States.
True to its identify, this small flycatcher has a yellowish wash on its underparts. They inhabit moist coniferous forests and bogs within the north and are sometimes quiet and unobtrusive, with a rising whistled “tu-wee”.
Alder Flycatcher
The Alder Flycatcher undertakes a long-distance nocturnal migration from its wintering grounds in western South America. In spring, it strikes north by way of Central America and Mexico, then enters the jap United States primarily by way of the Gulf Coast states. From there, it continues its northward journey, arriving comparatively late within the breeding season (mid-Could to early June) in its breeding vary, which incorporates the northeastern U.S., the Nice Lakes area, and far of Canada and Alaska.
Very comparable in look to the Willow Flycatcher, the Alder Flycatcher breeds in shrubby thickets and moist meadows within the northern areas. Their “fee-bee-o” tune, with the emphasis on the second syllable, helps distinguish them, however they arrive a bit later and aren’t at all times as readily detected.
The Refined Singers of the Cover
Whereas some warblers are fairly vocal, others have extra subdued songs or inhabit greater cover layers, making them much less steadily observed.
Philadelphia Vireo
The Philadelphia Vireo usually follows a comparatively slender spring migration route from its wintering grounds in Central America (southern Mexico to Panama). They typically transfer north throughout the Gulf of Mexico after which unfold out as they proceed northward into their breeding grounds. This route tends to be concentrated within the jap half of the US, west of the Appalachian Mountains. They’re thought-about unusual migrants alongside the Atlantic Coast within the spring.
They’re usually one of many later spring migrants, arriving on their breeding grounds within the northern United States and southern Canada primarily in late Could, when the foliage is already dense. They are often simply ignored among the many leaves.
Usually present in deciduous forests and edges, this vireo is much less boldly patterned than others and has a comparatively smooth, warbling tune, typically described as a extra hurried model of the Purple-eyed Vireo’s tune.
Connecticut Warbler
The Connecticut Warbler undertakes an elliptical migration route. In spring, they migrate comparatively late, shifting from their wintering grounds within the Amazon Basin of South America northward by way of Florida after which northwestward primarily by way of the Mississippi Valley in direction of their breeding grounds in central Canada and the northern Nice Lakes area of the U.S. They aren’t generally seen alongside the East Coast throughout their spring migration.
Regardless of its identify, it primarily migrates by way of the jap US however breeds additional north in Canada. It’s a skulky warbler, usually staying low in dense undergrowth, and its tune is a collection of loud, emphatic notes, not as melodious as another warblers. Birders usually must work exhausting to identify this late spring migrant.
The Nocturnal Migrants
Frequent Nighthawk
The spring migration of the Frequent Nighthawk to the U.S. includes a northward journey from their wintering grounds in South America. They have an inclination to pay attention alongside the Mississippi Flyway within the midwestern United States. 1 From there, they take a extra direct route north to their breeding territories. Notably, previous to crossing the Gulf of Mexico throughout their spring migration, there’s a interval of elevated focus of birds from completely different breeding populations.
Whereas typically seen hawking bugs within the night sky, their booming “peent” name is a extra frequent strategy to detect their presence as they arrive in open woodlands, savannas, and even city areas. Their cryptic plumage helps them mix in through the day after they roost on the bottom or on tree limbs.
Chuck-will’s-widow
The Chuck-will ‘s-widow usually undertakes a northward migration from its wintering grounds within the southeastern United States, the West Indies, Central America, and northwestern South America. Their spring migration to their breeding grounds within the southeastern and mid-Atlantic U.S. happens principally in April and early Could. They typically transfer north by way of the Gulf Coast states after which unfold inland to their breeding territories in open woodlands. They’re usually heard greater than seen throughout this time, as they’re nocturnal.
Discovered within the southeastern US, this nightjar has a loud, repetitive name that provides it its identify. They’re strictly nocturnal and expertly camouflaged, making daytime sightings uncommon. Their arrival in late spring is commonly introduced by their night serenades.
The Late Shorebirds
Upland Sandpiper
The Upland Sandpiper is a long-distance migrant that winters within the grasslands of southern South America. Their spring migration to their breeding grounds in North America, that are primarily the Nice Plains, usually follows a broad entrance.
Whereas particular routes can range amongst people, they usually transfer northward by way of Central America and the Nice Plains area of the US. Some people may additionally migrate alongside the Atlantic Coast, utilizing stopover websites alongside the best way to relaxation and refuel. They have an inclination to reach on their breeding grounds within the northern Nice Plains, in addition to elements of the Midwest, Nice Lakes area, and even domestically within the Northeast, from late April to Could.
This distinctive shorebird breeds in grasslands and meadows, a habitat completely different from typical coastal shorebirds. Their arrival in late spring is marked by their distinctive, nearly musical, whistling calls and their behavior of perching on fence posts or different excessive factors.
Wilson’s Phalarope
Wilson’s Phalaropes winter primarily in inland saline lakes within the Andes Mountains of South America. Their northward spring migration usually happens between late April and Could. As a substitute of a concentrated route with main stopover websites like within the fall, their spring journey is extra dispersed throughout Central America and the Nice Plains of North America. They make the most of varied inland freshwater wetlands, together with:
- Shallow ponds and lakes: Offering feeding alternatives.
- Flooded fields and marshes: Providing non permanent foraging grounds.
- Mudflats: The place they’ll probe for invertebrates.
Their closing locations within the U.S. for breeding are the prairie wetlands of the northwest United States and western Canada. Females of this species are extra brightly coloured and extra vocal than males. They breed in wetlands of the western and northern US and may be seen migrating by way of in late spring, typically in giant teams on inland lakes and ponds.
Remaining Ideas
These birds all have one thing in frequent aside from their late arrival within the spring at their breeding grounds. They’re all considerably inconspicuous (the phalarope excepted, perhaps!). Flycatchers with their brown and yellow-green plumage mix into their setting, as do the warblers and vireos; nightjars arrive at night time, and shorebirds can stay fairly plain even in breeding plumage. If you find yourself subsequent within the woodlands or on the shore, take a look for these attention-grabbing birds and the unbelievable lives they lead simply to make it to our lands.
