What is THAT bird?  This is the annual cry of frustration from many a birder during fall migration, when spring's flashiest male birds are sporting more muted attire. These birds have had a very busy spring and summer finding a mate, defending their territory and raising chicks - all of which requires an enormous amount of energy singing and producing showy feathers to attract a mate.  Now with those tasks behind them, they have some time to be more practical. They aren't calling as much - often they are silent. No need to sing and make your presence known to a predator as your territory and family are no longer at stake. And no need to have those flashy feathers to find a mate, so molting those for a less obvious outfit can be a very practical life saving technique.  ...Read More...

The mass migration of tens of thousands of Tree Swallows  on the East Coast is a migration event I look forward to every year.  It happens towards the end of September right along the coast. Sometimes the flocks are flying south low along the beach near the dunes - identifiable by flashing white underbellies and the shock of iridescent blue on their backs. These birds will stop to rest on anything that is available - twigs, ocean debris, stair railings, or just sand if there is no other option. 

My favorite place to be when Tree Swallows are migrating in full force is in Cape May where most years I manage to time it correctly --somehow being there when they are swirling their way south in a series of low level tornadoes. S tanding still, it's possible to hear and feel the air through their wings as the bird vortex starts just a few feet off the ground and engulfs everything in its way.  ...Read More...