I and the Bird #35

Migration. Isn’t that what it’s all about? We’re all, by the standard definition of the word, migrating, moving from place to place, hither and yon. Atoms migrate within molecules. Teeth migrate within mouths (though we’d rather they didn’t). But of most importance, particularly to those of us attuned to the rhythms of the natural world, are those glorious migrations of huge numbers of living creatures across the globe. And as impressive as marathon movements of humpback whales and European eels are, the migrations that really capture our collective attention are those of birds. We’re in the midst of an enormous one right now. Those of us north of the Equator are watching our boreal breeders withdraw to warmer climes while the bottom half of the world is just welcoming its austral avifauna.

Migrations speak to us, not just as observers of nature but as integral parts of it. The world moves and, deep inside, we long to move with it. I hope you’re open to Migrations speaking to you today, because that’s where Dan Rhoads, biologist, bird watcher, and blogger, brings you his splendid I and the Bird #35.

Does migration move you to wax eloquent about adventuring avifauna. Believe it or not, you’re in good company. Why don’t you migrate your best blog post on wild birds or birding to the next I and the Bird. Be part of the action when Roger of Words & Pictures hosts the next edition on Thursday, November 9. Be sure to get your submissions to Roger (roger-dot-butterfield AT gmail-dot-com) or me (mike AT 10000birds-dot-com) by Tuesday the 7th.