These birds will be traveling South, many to South America, so keep your seed and nectar feeders filled to help them along the way. They should arrive at their destinations by November or early December. Those of you who live in the Southern part of this flyway, please help keep them well-fed over the winter months so they can return North in Spring.

September

3rd week: Northern Orioles stoked up on nectar for several days before leaving. By now the babies have completed their molt into adult coloring.
4th week: The number of small warblers has increased. They appear to be coming from their Northern habitat but seem in no rush to pass through. During their spring migration the trees were filled with many varieties, but only for about 5 hours before continuing North.

October
1st week: Young Ruby Throated Hummingbirds are completing their molt and are very busy at the feeder. (Nectar - 1 part sugar to 3 parts water.) Robins are getting fewer. Warblers that nest North of here continue traveling through. The Brown Thrushes, Veery and young Brown Thrasher that summered here have left.
2nd week: Only one brave hummer remains. The Eastern Phoebe family is very busy catching bugs. Instead of the usual one or two, I have counted nine at one time in my yard.
3rd week: The White-throated Sparrows arrived from the North, followed by the first Dark-eyed Junco. A sure sign we will have winter. The young cowbird left.
4th week: Many Kinglets are busy feeding in the low bushes, but I no longer see the Phoebes. The Starlings are showing their flamboyant winter color, gold and black.

November
1st week: My last window-feeder robin, he comes for raisins, has left. The White-throated Sparrows and Kinglets are fewer. No Phoebes.
2nd week: It appears the fall migration has ended. The winter birds and I are settling in.

 

 

 

Fall Migration - Southern Minnesota, Midwest Flyway
Copyright© 2004 Bristen
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