Date: 5/6/25 8:49 am From: Pete Sole <pete...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] This year's migration numbers/lateness
Hi Jane,
Interesting question, I don't have any insight on the fires. The most
hopeful response I can come up with, is that maybe the fires open up
different ecological niches for less common birds. But I have no data to
back that up.
Alvaro,
Thanks for the insight. I guess the one big question is whether the
pattern we are seeing this year is an outlier, rather than a "new
normal" of sorts. In my own yard, all of the expected regular breeding
migrants have appeared or passed through, but the numbers are lower.
Specifically, Black-headed Grosbeaks and Western Flycatchers are sparser.
My hope is that this year is very much an outlier, with higher numbers
of migrants and the resumption of earlier arrivals in the coming years.
But time will tell.
Pete
On 5/5/25 12:37 PM, Jane Mio wrote:
> Does anybody have info of the various wildfires impacts on
> migratory/local breeding grounds?
> Some of the fires took place smack in their habitat during the nesting
> season.
>
> BTW: I, too, have noticed that my neighborhood is mighty bird silent
> this spring & the usual migratory species are either absent or sparse.
>
> Thanks to all for your interesting inputs ~ jane
>
>> On May 5, 2025, at 8:33 AM, <chucao...> wrote:
>>
>> Pete et al.
>> I think that one has to step back and realize that there is
>> variation year to year as you all mention and that is normal. But,
>> what has been noted this year is far from the norm. People who have
>> been birding for a long time, and have a good gut feel about bird
>> arrivals and migration density suggest it is way, way off the norm
>> this year. Both late and low volume. I have not been birding much
>> this spring so it is what I am hearing from folks, more than what I
>> am seeing. The suggestion is that very dry winter in parts of Mexico
>> may have influenced overall numbers or health of birds down there.
>> The suggestion is that many may have died. Of course with birds that
>> only live 5-6 years, one good year can resupply the loss that can
>> happen in a poor year. We shall see.
>> Alvaro
>
