The Other Side of Migration

By Mike • September 11, 2006 • No comments yet

American Redstart

What goes up must come down. That’s the promise September in New York always keeps. I’ve been knocked out for the past few days by a particularly malevolent cold which really put a cramp in my birding style. But there is no rest for the weary when one is a parent. In my daily travels shopping or escorting Mason to the park, certain signs were hard to miss. A pewee here, a parula there, and it’s clear that fall migration is well and truly upon us. Anyone paying attention could have spotted the same American Redstarts and Black-and-White Warblers in the canopy or Ospreys and Sharp-shinned Hawks over the Hudson River that I did. I’m grateful that I have the sense to look up.

Speaking of looking up, I spotted my first flock of Common Nighthawks of the year, during midday no less. If you live along the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic coast, now is your best chance of spotting these nifty nightjars on the fly.

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About the Author

Mike

Mike is a leading authority in the field of standardized test preparation, but what he really aspires to be is a naturalist. Besides founding 10,000 Birds and I and the Bird, Mike has also created a number of other entertaining sites and resources, particularly the Nature Blog Network.

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First Bird of 2010

What was your first bird of 2010? Let us know in the comments…and, if you wrote a blog post or have a picture of your first bird of the year online somewhere, well, leave a link in the comments too.
Happy New Year from all three of us at 10,000 Birds! And here’s hoping you see many great birds, including lots of lifers, in 2010!

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