Signs of Spring Migration

Two male Blue-winged Teals in breeding plumage

It is spring migration season, and even though the island doesn’t see nearly as much avian traffic as in the fall, we still see clear signs of it taking place.  For example, some of the bird species that wintered here, e.g. Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis),  have already migrated north, while other birds are in the process of, or have already molted into breeding plumage, in preparation for migration.  (E.g. Blue-winged Teals - Spatula discors). 

Ruddy Turnstones and Sanderlings @ Inch Marlow

Another sign of spring migration is birds making pit stops on the island en route to breeding grounds.  I got a first-hand look at what this could look like when I visited the beach at Inch Marlow, Christ Church on the weekend.   There I counted over 260 individual shorebirds made up of 6 species. The most abundant were Ruddy Turnstones (Arenaria interpres), over 140 of them in various stages of molting to the bright orange-brown breeding plumage. These were busy searching the Sargassum Seaweed for food.  This contrasted with the layback resting mood of the Sanderlings (Calidris alba) who were mostly just loafing around enjoying the sun, sea, and sand.  A few of these birds also showed early signs of breeding plumage.  A few Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla), Least Sandpipers (Calidris minutilla), and Semipalmated Plovers (Charadrius semipalmatus) were sprinkled among the flock. 

Ruddy Turnstones in various stages of molting, Sanderlings, Least Sandpipers, and Semipalmated Sandpiper 

As we enter the latter half of the month of April into early May, another group of birds, ones not as visible as the shorebird group will pass through.  We are talking about songbirds in the family of Wood warblers, Tanager, etc.  Be on the lookout for these beauties as you are out and about.  

Stay Safe and enjoy your birding.