Lightkeeper's Journal

Birds on Radar and Incoming Flycatchers

 

 The light and medium blue on the map are migrating birds.  

The yellow and green is precipitation.

 

Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird

Article by Norma Beaird

 

For the past few days, and especially since Hurricane Joaquin moved north in the Atlantic Ocean, bird migration has picked up again.  We've had new visitors to the backyard, which is actually Le Avian Cafe & Rural Day Spa.  

We've seen at least 60 Red-winged Blackbirds, an Eastern Phoebe (Flycatcher), Eastern Wood-Pewee (Flycatcher) and a Palm Warbler (Wood Warblers).  Birds are moving South and quite a few have flown down to rural Georgia.  There are some birds who are noted to live in Georgia full-time; however, we may only see them during migration or during weather changes.   Even though the Eastern Wood-Pewee is a common breeding resident statewide from March to November, we usually see him sporadically in this area of Georgia.  

The Eastern Phoebe is a common migrant and winter resident in the ‪Georgia Coastal Plain from August to April, with the highest numbers from October to March. They are a member of the Flycatcher family.

(Source: Birds of Georgia)

 

NEXRAD Map by Dr. Paul Hurtado, University of Nevada - Reno.

The bird migration‬ is indicated by the blue bursts.  

A cold front was coming; and, on October 9th, migrating birds covered the right half of the United States.  

 

The Eastern Wood-Pewee loops out from exposed perches to snatch flying insects in midair.

This technique is often referred to as "flycatching" or "hawking".

(Source: Birds of Georgia)  

 

 

 

Copyright 2015, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.  

Birds on Radar - Migration continues...

 

Birds on Radar Migration Map

Map by Paul Hurtado, Assistant Professor - Mathematics & Statistics, University of Nevada

 

Photography and Article by Norma Beaird

 

As you can see by the map above, the bird migration process continues.  On this particular map, the appearance of blue bursts are the birds migrating to the northern part of the United States and Canada. Some birds will stop for a while in the Southern states to rest and refuel.  

At this point in the season, it is necessary to have your feeders stocked with black oil sunflower, shelled sunflower, white millet and unsalted peanuts.  It is also critically important to keep a birdbath filled with fresh water.  For example, the female Rose-Breasted Grosbeak stopped by our feeders for a chance to rest and eat before continuing her journey north.

Birders in the Northern U.S. and Canada should keep their feeders stocked with extra black oil sunflower and nyger seed for the arrival of the American Goldfinches and Pine Siskins.  

Keeping your bird feeders stocked at this time of year is also very important for the birds who are nesting in your area.  Many times, they will leave their nests to come to feeders and partake of the generous offerings. They will drink water from the birdbath while a few will take a birdbath and splash the dust and pollen off of their wings.  

If the birds become familiar with your feeding stations, they will also bring their young and feed them at your feeders.  It is such a joy to know that you have helped feed a mama's little baby bird!  So, take a little extra time to keep the bird feeders stocked and the birdbaths full, watch the radar maps and Happy Birding!  

The female Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

 

To check daily for the continuing bird migration routes, click here.  

 

 

 

Copyright 2015, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.  

September Bird Migration

 

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (Female)

 

Photography by Curtis Beaird

Article by Norma Beaird

 

It's that time of the year again.  You can feel the change in the air.  It's getting closer to autumn and birds are beginning to move and migrate.  Many will fly South for the winter, to include flying to South Florida, Mexico, Central and South America.  One particular species that is currently migrating is the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird.  

According to Georgia Hummer, Ruby-Throated Hummingbird migration is in full swing.  Now is a perfect time to hang up your red hummingbird feeders with sugar water.  And why buy the red feeders?  Because hummers love the color red!  

 

A red hummingbird feeder can be purchased at local garden shops or retail stores.

Here is the recipe for the sugar water.

 

Another way to attract hummingbirds is by planting certain flowers in your yard.  A popular one with the hummingbirds is the Cardinal Climber Vine.  

The Cardinal Climber Vine

A fascinating way to track bird migration all over the United States is through NEXRAD radar.  Paul Hurtado, a postdoctoral researcher for The Mathematical Biosciences Institute at Ohio State University, has created U.S. composite radar maps as a tool for watching bird migration.  Below is the September 5 - 6, 2014 radar map of heavy bird migration throughout the Southeastern and Midwestern portion of the U.S.  

Paul Hurtado's bird migration radar maps can be viewed here.  

Just like the migration show of springtime, autumn migration always gives us a unique opportunity to see beautiful backyard birds as they fly South for the winter.  If you live near a coastal area, you will see the graceful shorebirds as they migrate to their warm weather destination.  

So, don't miss a golden opportunity to hang up a bird feeder or take a camera to a state park, wildlife management area or seaside marina.  During this time of year, birds are everywhere.  Maybe a few weary avian travelers will stop to rest in your backyard and dine on some suet, black oil sunflower or unsalted peanuts.  There is one thing for sure.....migrating birds will you a delightful memory that you will treasure for a lifetime.

 

 

 

Copyright 2014, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.   

  

Spring Migration is Full Speed Ahead

 

Summer Tanager (Male)

 

Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird

 

He arrived in Montgomery County, located in Georgia's Lower Coastal Plain, ahead of a rainstorm that lasted all afternoon.  His beautiful tomato-red color was a joy to behold and photograph.  The Summer Tanager is a common breeding resident statewide from April to October, except in the mountains above 2500 ft., according to the informative and helpful book:

Birds of Georgia, by Parrish, Beaton and Kennedy.

 

 

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (Female)

 

According to Birds of Georgia, the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird  is a common summer breeding resident from April to November (mostly from early April to early October); uncommon to rare in winter along the Coast, and rare inland in winter south of the Mountains.  

 

Summer Tanager (Male)

 

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (Female)

Maybe she's wondering......"Where is he?" 

 

 

 

Copyright 2014, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.   

 

Seeing Red in the Woods

 

Northern Cardinal male perched in the tree

 

Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird

Article by Norma Beaird

Research contribution by Curtis Beaird

 

It's springtime and it's time for nesting season!  This is always a joyous time of year because walking outside reveals a symphony of bird song and buzzing bees.  The leaves and grass are turning green, and all nature is waking up from a cold winter of rain and snow.

As you can tell, like many folks in the United States, we love Northern Cardinals.  We especially love the rich vibrant red color of the males.  And, we are seeing more and more of them in our yard due to the nesting season.  

It's also that time of year when a birder wants to keep their feeders fully stocked with bird favorites.  Birds are migrating, mating and nesting; therefore, you never know who you may see coming to your feeders for nourishment.  Northern Cardinals especially love black oil sunflower, shelled sunflower, unsalted peanuts and safflower.   

As you prepare to feed your backyard visitors, you will need to know the nesting season dates for your state.  No matter what part of the country you live in, the following map, courtesy of the Farmers Service Agency - USDA, will show the dates for the nesting season in your area.  

Primary Nesting Season Dates and Duration

 

 

In addition to the nesting season, spring migration is also in process.  Great tools that we use to track spring migration are the NEXRAD Composite Radar Maps. These maps are very effective in tracking bird movements at night.  The birds are represented by the royal blue plumes on the map (such as those migrating through Texas).  

Bird Radar Map

 

 

eBird  has a fascinating article about birds and radar.  Once you discover how to read the weather maps showing bird movements, you can check each night to see the bird activity that may be happening in your area.   It's fun to look at the current radar maps because it will help us gain a greater understanding of birds, their migration process; and ultimately, the miracle and majesty of nature.    

 

 

 

Copyright 2014, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.

Birds, Rain and Radar

 Northern Mockingbird shows up at the feeder on a rainy day!

 

Article by Curtis Beaird

Photography by Norma W. Beaird

 

Bird migration was in full swing until the weekend of the Masters Golf Tournament. A cold front stalled over the Northern half of Florida to include the panhandle, a good portion of South Georgia and Savannah, to the lower east coast of South Carolina.

Sunday morning started as a gray and misty day with light rain. By mid-afternoon the day had become an umbrella-necessary experience.   While the golfers played on in the rain and worked to keep the golf grips dry, the birds remained grounded.

If you missed the weather map it look like this:

This regional map (above) gives you an idea of the cloud coverage and rain density later in the afternoon.  As night fell, the storm increased intensity both in terms of rain and wind. It was easy to conclude that birds downed along the FL/GA border would go nowhere until Monday after sunset. I guessed wrong.

 Migrating birds are moved by a rhythm greater and more demonstrative than the clock on our wall or our logical understanding of best travel times.  About 11:00 pm, I checked NEXRAD. Doppler radar can distinguish quiet handily between a storm and birds. It is sensitive to the point of reflecting pollen, smoke and insects.  When I looked, what I found was a surprise, at least to me. The birds knew what they were going to do all along.

The above NEXRAD graphic demonstrates the storm dissipating. Note the purple band separating the blue swatch into Florida and the Gulf at Figure A.  Also, note the other "broken" section at "C" sliding into the Atlantic. 

What we see at section "B", especially the light blue dots below the B, and the smattering of red dots north of B, are for the most part, birds. It appears that as soon as the weather broke, they continued on their migrating way.  My confirmation for this action could come Monday morning on April 15th.  We are located north of their current migration route and could see some new arrivals in the morning.  I will keep you posted. Oh - by the way, Adam Scott from Australia won The Masters in the rain.

Happy birding.

 

Copyright 2013, Curtis Beaird.  All rights reserved.