May Migration
4/30/17
By David Brown
Right now is the most exciting time of the year to watch birds. New species are arriving daily throughout May and you should expect the unexpected.
You can see birds in your backyard that just flew from South America. Individual Blackpoll warblers fitted with GPS trackers have been recorded flying over 1700 miles nonstop. It is amazing to think of the places that each bird has been, especially when you consider that many species are just passing through on the way to their breeding grounds. A pectoral sandpiper might look like a plain shorebird feeding at a puddle but if you find one you are looking at a bird that just spent the winter in South America and is on its way to the Arctic to nest. When we conserve bird habitat locally we are not just helping resident birds, but also birds that are literally world travelers.
Pectoral Sandpiper
Some of the best birding sites during migration are along the Susquehanna River, including Muncy Heritage Park, Mill Street in Montoursville, Canfield Island, and the Susquehanna river walk. Rose Valley Lake also attracts a large number of migrating birds.
However you don't have to be near a major body of water to find migrant birds. The Williamsport Municipal Water authority watershed in the Mosquito Valley is one of the best spots in the state to see large numbers of hooded warblers. Don't forget about your own home. It is amazing what one can see with just a few minutes in the backyard. In the spring many birds are in their most colorful plumage and are singing to attract mates. Even if you don't recognize the song it may still guide you in spotting the bird.
For serious birders one of the most exciting parts of migration is knowing that rare birds are going to show up. Some of the rarities seen in Lycoming County last May included parasitic jaeger, laughing gull, and two summer tanagers. I am excited to see what we are able to find this year.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are also arriving back. The proper recipe for sugar water is four parts water to one part table sugar and red coloring is unnecessary and potentially harmful. Replace the water and clean the feeder every few days.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Many birds are beginning to nest already. On April 22nd I saw the first fledgling of the year, a mourning dove in my front yard. Remember that it is normal for babies of many species to leave the nest before they can fly so don't rush to rescue every fledgling you see. It is just a myth that parents will reject a baby bird if it has been touched by a human, so in the rare case that you must move a bird don't worry about that. You probably have birds nesting nearby and it can be a lot of fun to monitor the progress from a respectful distance.
I hope you will get outside to enjoy the spring weather and have a pair of binoculars handy to see all the amazing birds.
