Category: Migration

Fourth Year In A Row

Many days ago a friend let me know that Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were migrating through. I’ve been watching for them ever since. Today, finally, I spotted one or more females. Several times at the feeder. Each time a single female. I’m delighted to see them.

Now if only a male would show up. As is so often the case the male of the species is the one to get all the attention with its spectacular coloring. The female looks much like a large sparrow. A not so little LBJ

My cabin, here in central Virginia, in the Blue Ridge Mountains is very close to the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks’ breeding grounds but I only see them as they migrate through. This, the fourth year in a row that I’ve witnessed this happening. It brings me joy!

The Journey

Imagine you are a winged, feathered creature, just 3 inches long, weighing in at 0.1 to 0.2 ounces. Imagine too that you spend the summer months in Canada and other parts of eastern North America, and you spend the winter months from southern Mexico southward across Central America to Panama. That’s what Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) do every year. Traveling Hummingbirds flying back and forth alone.

They have no maps or GPS help. They somehow know where they are going and manage to rejoin other Ruby-throated Hummingbirds after a trip of 1,000 to 1,600 miles. And if the Hummingbird should choose to cross the Gulf of Mexico (some do, some don’t) they fly that 500 miles over 18 to 24 hours (weather dependent) non-stop.

Incredible. Just thinking about it makes me feel very worn out. I think I’ll sit down.

The Last One For This Year

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). It was while I was eating lunch. October 4th. The last one came through. I still waited. I left the last feeder out thinking there might be one more straggler. One more late little clown coming through. But it didn’t happen. At least not that I know. The feeders are all taken down now. No more hummingbird syrup to watch. Be sure it’s fresh. Be sure there’s enough. No more until next April. Next April will bring the cheery little rays of sunshine. Replacing the joy of snowflakes with the hilarity of jousting mini feathered creatures.

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Stopping by for a meal on the way south. A Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendroica caerulescens) enjoys the seeds of Purple Coneflowers that I’ve left for the travelers. My gardens may look untidy, but they are a way of welcoming these birds as they pass through. Birds that are migrating long distances during the dark of night. Aiming for the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas, the Caribbean coast of Mexico and Central America.

The Black-throated Blue Warbler is 5 inches in length, with a wingspan of 7.5 to 8 inches. In comparison to other birds, they are larger than a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and smaller than a Hermit Thrush. I wish them well on their way to their winter home.  

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Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). It’s no secret that I am totally crazy about winter. The black and white, pen and ink landscape takes me back to my childhood. Add a male Northern Cardinal to that beautiful landscape and you’ve got the perfect image.

The female Cardinal has her own beauty. Soft tawny brown with subtle accents of rich red and bright orange. A winged creature to marvel at.

The native range of the Cardinal is southeastern Canada through eastern North America including part of Texas, a small section of New Mexico, about half of Arizona, down through Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. 

And with all the coming and going of other birds, the Cardinal does not migrate.

During the mating season male Cardinals become extremely territorial but come winter they will flock together by the dozen or several dozen. A stunning sight on a cold winter’s day.

Dark-eyed Junco

I’ve always lived in an area where Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) are called snowbirds, since they migrate to the area for the winter.

I had a surprise back in the summer 2014 when I went just a short distance from my cabin, up the mountain, to Shenandoah National Park and saw Juncos enjoying the warm summer weather. After checking I realized that there is a population of Juncos that spend the summer along the ridge of the Appalachian Mountains. So close to me in their own little world and no migrating thanks to the higher elevation.

Back here at home though they’re still my snowbirds.