We’re in stick season – the transition period after the leaves have fallen and before the snow comes. Without the cover of deciduous leaves, it’s easier to see the last of the fall migrating birds passing through and the arrival of the first winter visitors. Here are some birds to watch for:
Snow geese migrate in flocks of tens of thousands from their northern breeding grounds in the Canadian High Arctic to winter along the mid-Atlantic coast. In New England, peaking from mid-October through November, flocks settle down in farmlands to rest and eat. They fly in big compact flocks and have a stunning cylindrical landing pattern known as “the toilet bowl flush.” While their migration path has shifted more to the New York side of Lake Champlain in recent years, there are still lots of birds to be seen at the wildlife viewing area on VT Route 17 in Addison in the Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area.
Northern New England’s and Canada’s red-tailed hawk migration peaks in November. Hawks in the more southern part of their range stay put, and red-taileds are becoming less migratory in the northern portion of their range. Alone or in small flocks, red-tailed hawks concentrate along shoreline peninsulas, to avoid crossing large open water. They migrate during the day to take advantage of thermals – columns of rising warm air – and soar over 79% of the time.
Among the last waterfowl migrants to head south, all North American populations of common mergansers migrate generally short to intermediate distances. Their migration peaks in mid-November. The birds we see in the winter on large lakes are likely not the same birds that breed here. They migrate over land at night and along seacoasts or major river systems by day. Common mergansers are also among the first waterfowl to return in the spring, moving north as soon as the ice begins breaking up on inland lakes and rivers.
Late October through mid-November is peak migration for juvenile common loons. While adults depart earlier in the autumn, young loons need time to strengthen their wing and chest muscles for flight, as it can take up to a quarter mile of vigorous flapping to lift off. Loons overwinter in the ocean from the Gulf of Maine down the Atlantic coast, and one-and-two year old common loons remain in their wintering grounds throughout the year.
We’re starting to see visitors from the north begin to arrive now as well. Be on the lookout for snow buntings, rough-legged hawks, snowy owls, and winter finches (finch forecast).