Migration Miracles
- Merri-Lee M.
- 59 minutes ago
- 4 min read
"Let me keep my mind on what matters,
Which is my work,
Which is mostly standing still
And learning to be astonished."
-Mary Oliver
One of the greatest sources of "astonishment" in the natural world is migration. The seasonal movement across continents by fragile creatures is a miracle almost beyond belief. This time of year, Spring, is an exciting time for observers of migrants, as millions of birds return from their southern Winter destinations to search for suitable spots to raise their young. There are, however, migration stories in other seasons that are awe-inspiring too...
Snow Buntings spend their Summers in the high Arctic, and usually arrive in our area during the early days of Winter. They stay until about the end of February; males are usually back on breeding grounds in April, and females migrate 4-6 weeks later.
When the Snow Buntings arrive in Southern Ontario, they are hungry! Although they prefer to forage for seeds in fields and open spaces, some cracked corn is a welcome treat when snow covers their food sources. This flock arrived in January, and often rested on a stone pile on our farm, after a meal of corn.
Standing still for a very brief moment!
Horned Larks were not as plentiful this Winter as other years, but they did appear a few times, and joined the Snow Buntings for a meal.
The Buntings sometimes perched briefly before diving into the corn.
A small Tamarack Tree often hosted a flock of Snow Buntings.
Preening and picking at something on the Tamarack branches...
If the weather was particularly stormy, or their corn was covered, a few Snow Buntings came to the deck for chipped sunflower seeds.
I put some cracked corn into other feeders too, and the Snow Buntings weren't shy about taking it.
A Red-bellied Woodpecker shared their corn on occasion.
Once the Snow Buntings had headed North, it was time to enjoy another group of Arctic-bound travellers. Tundra Swans, having spent the Winter on the East coast of the US, made a stopover in Aylmer ON , where corn is scattered along a berm near a pond for their dining pleasure!
Tundra Swans travel North in family groups with their young from last season. Juveniles are easy to spot, with their grayish heads.
There is nothing like the sound of Tundra Swans! They were very vocal on the day we were there (March 25).
It was such a treat to stand and watch these elegant birds flying together.
Coming in for a landing...
One of the Swans had a curved neck. There is quite a bit of speculation as to why some Swans end up with this issue. This bird was flying with another adult and a young one, and didn't seem to be compromised.
And now Spring migration has begun. A Brown Thrasher was "thrashing" in the garden, then made his way up into a tree and sang his weird and wonderful song.
The first Warblers have started to show up --- lots of little Yellow-rumped Warblers this year so far!
Time to sing again!
Friendly Palm Warblers, with their bobbing tails, are often seen with their Yellow-rumped friends. These tiny ones were busy catching flying insects around a pond in MacGregor Park.
There are often surprises during Spring migration: birds that are blown off course, or that arrive here for unknown reasons. In early May, a lovely male Summer Tanager, which should be somewhere quite far south of us right now, showed up in Guelph. After visiting Ron one afternoon, I stopped by the trail where the bird had been seen, and was thrilled when he flew down several times for some visits!
He posed briefly among the soft White Pine needles.
He would fly to a nearby yard, eat from a feeder, then rest in the trees.
He flew down to a small flooded area for a bit of a splash and a drink.
And he treated us to a bit of a song!
It was such a treat to spend time with this beautiful little guy! Hopefully he can find a mate soon .... here or somewhere a bit further south. It may be that birds like the Summer Tanager will start to nest in our area in the next years; many species will likely be changing their routines with climate change.
Another quote from Mary Oliver:
"Come with me into the woods where spring is advancing, as it does, no matter what, not being singular or particular, but one of the forever gifts, and certainly visible."
I walked a trail as dusk was approaching a few nights ago, and came upon the most wonderful sight. (A friend had told me about this nest, and I was pleased to find it.) These aren't migratory birds, but they are certainly worthy of "astonishment"! Great Horned Owlets, high in a tree, camouflaged by branches, peeked at me quickly, then ducked down into their too-small nest. I stayed only a moment, then left them to their evening activities.
"To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work." -Mary Oliver again!
Happy Spring!
-Merri-Lee