The arrival of the Labor Day Weekend and September, the perfect month, is the stuff of dreams for birders. This month has everything. Such as; typically fantastic weather, all species of birds migrating with their respective populations at an annual peak, the possibility of getting hit by the “great undeveloper” a.k.a. a big hurricane, and the potential for any bird to arrive on Cape and Island shores from anywhere. This month is full of promise and invariably delivers the goods.
As this is being heard there are several formidable tropical depressions packing big winds and churning up the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. These may become hurricanes, become even stronger and threaten the Gulf Coast and Eastern Seaboard. Powerful and disruptive low-pressure systems such as this often displace bird species hundreds and occasionally thousands of miles from where they would normally be.
They can transport pelagic birds from the South Atlantic to the North Atlantic, drive tropical birds into cold northern waters and disrupt migrating birds. While often causing short-term disastrous damage on certain species they are part and parcel of life for migrant and oceanic bird species. The birds are able to detect the approaching low pressure and are remarkably adept at “dodging the bullet” so to speak.
More often than not birders are disappointed after the passage of a hurricane precisely because so few birds got caught up in it. Occasionally though, a hurricane will live up to its fearsome reputation. There have been times, albeit rare and decades apart, when after a major hurricane, Cape and Island beaches were entertaining bird life more appropriate to Florida than to Massachusetts. While not altogether good news for the birds it provides lasting memories to birders and all acknowledge that they have witnessed something they may never see again in their lifetime.
The fall migration is more impressive on the Cape and Islands than in spring. Reasons for this are many. Firstly, there are many more birds in the population bolstered by all the young birds that were fledged this summer. Secondly, species migratory routes have been honed over thousands of years and successful migrants survive to pass on their genes. Additionally the various species that migrate have evolved flight paths that maximize the availability of food. They have learned to utilize tail winds that aid their travel and require the expenditure of less muscular energy. They avoid the wide ranging temperature swings found inland, engage in predator avoidance, and basically following the path of least resistance.
It is awe inspiring to imagine millions of small birds flying in the night sky.
The Blackpoll Warbler, is the undisputed long distance champion migrant of wood warblers. Many members of this species fly nonstop from Cape Cod to South America. They are shocking in their physical achievements.
Lastly, this next week is the best week of the year for Buff-breasted and Baird’s Sandpipers to appear. These globetrotters are on a tight schedule moving from the high Arctic to southern South America. If they do appear in our area it invariably happens in a very small window of opportunity. That time is now. In fact historically this next week promises to be excellent.
