Flying South for the Winter: Migrating Birds and How You Can Help

The summer months seem to have come and gone too quickly, but alas it is that time again- migration! Songbirds, hawks and insects alike are heading south to their overwintering grounds. For birders, it is a second chance to see a lot of different species moving through the area. So, keep your feeders stocked, you are bound to see an increase in activity. Even more importantly, don't take down your hummingbird feeder just yet - their migration peaks this month! They will mostly be gone by the end of September, but we recommend keeping your feeder up until early October at least, for the stragglers. 

Common Yellowthroat, migratory species 

Migration is an amazing feat, with birds and butterflies alike travelling thousands of kilometres. That being said, there are plenty of obstacles and challenges along the way. As always, we are here to tell you how you can help. Bird-window collisions are a huge threat to migratory birds, and there are several ways to make your home safe for birds. Windows can be very deceiving to birds as they can either see straight through or they see the reflection of a natural area, become confused and end up colliding with the window. You can take simple action to deter birds from hitting windows on your own home, by breaking up the glass visually with decals. This greatly reduces the likeliness that a bird will become confused and fly into it. Keep visual markers no more than 10cm/4 inches apart.

We offer a range of WindowAlert decals in-store to be used in this manner! You can view them in our online store here, or visit us in-store for a wider selection. 

Ruby-crowned kinglet, migratory species

Another step you can take is positioning your feeders and birdbaths closer to your home, over short distances (such as 1 metre), birds fail to build up enough momentum to actually injure themselves should they hit a window. It works two-fold: the closer the feeder is to your window, the better for the birds and for your viewing! 

If you would like to know which windows in your home pose the greatest threat to birds you can take the BirdSafe Homeowner Self-Assessment quiz here. 

If you happen to see a bird-window collision you can report it here, this citizen science contributes greatly to the efforts of organizations such as FLAP Canada that work to safeguard migratory birds. This inventory informs research and conservation worldwide. 

Birds do migrate over incredibly long distances and will need energy for the journey so keeping your feeders stocked, including some high energy sources such as our foods that include nuts, is a great idea during this time of year and as we move into colder weather. 

Some nature happenings to note: 

September: 

• Ruby-throated hummingbirds are migrating and will have mostly departed by the end of the month 
• Broad-winged hawk migration peaks mid to late month 
• Migrating Brown Creepers and both Ruby and Gold Crowned Kinglets should appear near the end of the month

October: 

• Migration numbers increase for Brown Creepers, Winter Wrens and Yellow-rumped warblers 
• Migrating thrushes (Swainson's, Hermit and Gray-cheeked) can be seen feeding on fall fruits 
• Owls begin to appear, including Saw-Whets 
• Raptor migration peaks 
• Most wood ducks migrate south 

We hope you get the opportunity to experience these beautiful birds as they move through the region! 

Warmly, 

Heather