WAVES of MIGRATION - SPRING
Spring migration is a process, unfolding gradually as different species move north from their wintering grounds to pass through our valley in order to breed further north, or else to stay here, mate, nest and raise their young. Somewhat surprisingly to non-birders, spring migration for birds that winter in warmer climes begins in February.
February - March
First to arrive in February or early March is usually the Killdeer, pictured above in early spring. Shortly afterwards the first swallows often arrive, usually a wave of Violet-green Swallows, that seems to pass through northbound. A couple of weeks or so later the main wave of swallows follows; more Violet-greens and then Tree Swallows.
Many more American Robins are seen at this time too, and they begin to set up their territories and sing, a welcome sound. By late March Say's Phoebes and Turkey Vultures are being reported here and there. The bluebirds also return, first the Western Bluebirds, then the Mountain Bluebirds. Another grassland species, Western Meadowlark, can be heard by late March.
March - April
What a delight it is to see the first warbler species, the Yellow-rumped Warbler, often by the end of March. At about the same time the first Osprey are reported, returning to their nest platforms. Often the female returns first, followed within three weeks or so by the male. (If one or the other of a pair does not return, the survivor will find another mate.)
In the shorebird world there is movement too. Greater Yellowlegs, then Lesser Yellowlegs are new arrivals, closely followed by Solitary Sandpipers. Yellow-Headed Blackbirds arrive in the marshes in early April. Brewer's Blackbirds and Cassin's Finches are often reported. Ruddy Ducks and Canvasbacks are spotted.
April - May
The pace of spring migration really picks up in late April. Now is the time to watch and listen for Vesper Sparrows singing from fence posts in the grasslands. Often a Lincoln's Sparrow is seen, with most migrating with the large wave of White-crowned Sparrows towards the end of April and into early May. The Cinnamon Teal and the last of the migrating ducks, the Blue-winged Teal, make their appearance as well.
(At the same time as these birds arrive here, those birds we enjoyed through the winter move northwards, and we won't see them again until the fall. These species include Bohemian Waxwing, Northern Shrike, Rough-legged Hawk and Harris' Sparrow among others.)
More swallows arrive; Northern Rough-winged, Bank, Cliff and Barn Swallows are all here by sometime in May. White-throated Swifts are usually reported by the end of April. Sparrows increase in number too, with the arrival of the Savannah Sparrows. Ruby-crowned Kinglets increase in number.
Shorebirds passing through or finding nest sites here include Least, Western, Semi-palmated, Spotted and Baird's Sandpipers, while the elegant American Avocet and Black-necked Stilt are often reported too by the beginning of May. Marsh Wrens are often heard by now.
And it's time to put out the hummingbird feeders! Here come the Calliope, Rufous and finally the Black-chinned Hummingbirds. Red-naped Sapsuckers turn up in the mixed woodland to work on their sap wells as the tree sap rises. Orange-crowned Warblers follow the Yellow-rumped Warblers and Western Tanagers are seen and heard. Western Kingbirds build their nests behind the transformers on the power poles. A wave of Bonaparte's Gulls passes through in numbers about the end of April into May.
May - June
Spring migration really reaches its peak in May and June. By now warbler migration is in full swing with the arrival of Nashville, Yellow, MacGillivray's and Townsend's Warblers. Other songbird species include Northern Waterthrush and Yellow-breasted Chat. The vireos arrive; Cassin's, Warbling and Red-eyed Vireos are all heard and seen in the woods. Hermit and Swainson's Thrushes as well as Veery come here to breed. Bullock's Orioles flash their brilliant orange and black plumage as they build their hanging nests.
Flycatchers can find plentiful insect food now so they return in numbers; Eastern Kingbird, Western Wood Pewee, Willow, Least, Hammond's and Dusky Flycatchers all come about now. Lewis' Woodpeckers work on their nest sites in hollow trees as do House Wrens.
Wilson's Phalaropes and Eared Grebes can be seen at Robert Lake and occasionally a Red-Necked Phalarope or two. Cedar Waxwings move in and Black-headed Grosbeaks are heard for the first time. So too are the beautiful Lazuli Buntings. Lark Sparrows might be seen in the south Okanagan or occasionally on our grasslands nearer Kelowna.
By early June we see the arrival of the very last few species such as Common Nighthawks, Black and Vaux' Swifts.
The breeding season begins in earnest, and the first ducklings, goslings and quail chicks are seen. The cycle of life continues - and birders are part of it all.
February - March
First to arrive in February or early March is usually the Killdeer, pictured above in early spring. Shortly afterwards the first swallows often arrive, usually a wave of Violet-green Swallows, that seems to pass through northbound. A couple of weeks or so later the main wave of swallows follows; more Violet-greens and then Tree Swallows.
Many more American Robins are seen at this time too, and they begin to set up their territories and sing, a welcome sound. By late March Say's Phoebes and Turkey Vultures are being reported here and there. The bluebirds also return, first the Western Bluebirds, then the Mountain Bluebirds. Another grassland species, Western Meadowlark, can be heard by late March.
March - April
What a delight it is to see the first warbler species, the Yellow-rumped Warbler, often by the end of March. At about the same time the first Osprey are reported, returning to their nest platforms. Often the female returns first, followed within three weeks or so by the male. (If one or the other of a pair does not return, the survivor will find another mate.)
In the shorebird world there is movement too. Greater Yellowlegs, then Lesser Yellowlegs are new arrivals, closely followed by Solitary Sandpipers. Yellow-Headed Blackbirds arrive in the marshes in early April. Brewer's Blackbirds and Cassin's Finches are often reported. Ruddy Ducks and Canvasbacks are spotted.
April - May
The pace of spring migration really picks up in late April. Now is the time to watch and listen for Vesper Sparrows singing from fence posts in the grasslands. Often a Lincoln's Sparrow is seen, with most migrating with the large wave of White-crowned Sparrows towards the end of April and into early May. The Cinnamon Teal and the last of the migrating ducks, the Blue-winged Teal, make their appearance as well.
(At the same time as these birds arrive here, those birds we enjoyed through the winter move northwards, and we won't see them again until the fall. These species include Bohemian Waxwing, Northern Shrike, Rough-legged Hawk and Harris' Sparrow among others.)
More swallows arrive; Northern Rough-winged, Bank, Cliff and Barn Swallows are all here by sometime in May. White-throated Swifts are usually reported by the end of April. Sparrows increase in number too, with the arrival of the Savannah Sparrows. Ruby-crowned Kinglets increase in number.
Shorebirds passing through or finding nest sites here include Least, Western, Semi-palmated, Spotted and Baird's Sandpipers, while the elegant American Avocet and Black-necked Stilt are often reported too by the beginning of May. Marsh Wrens are often heard by now.
And it's time to put out the hummingbird feeders! Here come the Calliope, Rufous and finally the Black-chinned Hummingbirds. Red-naped Sapsuckers turn up in the mixed woodland to work on their sap wells as the tree sap rises. Orange-crowned Warblers follow the Yellow-rumped Warblers and Western Tanagers are seen and heard. Western Kingbirds build their nests behind the transformers on the power poles. A wave of Bonaparte's Gulls passes through in numbers about the end of April into May.
May - June
Spring migration really reaches its peak in May and June. By now warbler migration is in full swing with the arrival of Nashville, Yellow, MacGillivray's and Townsend's Warblers. Other songbird species include Northern Waterthrush and Yellow-breasted Chat. The vireos arrive; Cassin's, Warbling and Red-eyed Vireos are all heard and seen in the woods. Hermit and Swainson's Thrushes as well as Veery come here to breed. Bullock's Orioles flash their brilliant orange and black plumage as they build their hanging nests.
Flycatchers can find plentiful insect food now so they return in numbers; Eastern Kingbird, Western Wood Pewee, Willow, Least, Hammond's and Dusky Flycatchers all come about now. Lewis' Woodpeckers work on their nest sites in hollow trees as do House Wrens.
Wilson's Phalaropes and Eared Grebes can be seen at Robert Lake and occasionally a Red-Necked Phalarope or two. Cedar Waxwings move in and Black-headed Grosbeaks are heard for the first time. So too are the beautiful Lazuli Buntings. Lark Sparrows might be seen in the south Okanagan or occasionally on our grasslands nearer Kelowna.
By early June we see the arrival of the very last few species such as Common Nighthawks, Black and Vaux' Swifts.
The breeding season begins in earnest, and the first ducklings, goslings and quail chicks are seen. The cycle of life continues - and birders are part of it all.