6181 Hello There!
This male Ruby-crowned Kingliet seems to be waving hello. In fact, he is likely landing or taking off. Home, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. 22 April 2023
The snow was all gone but a sudden snowstorm brought over a foot of snow on the 18th and 19th of April. Here is what I wrote on FB I checked the live bird migration map this morning and weather conditions. Seems like it snowed at least from S. Dakota to here. I also looked at maps to try to figure out the bird radar locations.
In spite of the wintry conditions, there was a large number of birds that left the area of Aberdeen, SD (where there is a big wildlife refuge) around 10 pm, and went generally NW, a bit over Bismark but mostly Minot, where activity peaked around 2- 3 am , 4 to 5 hours later to slowly disappear over the border into SK. I think the birds have to be strong flyers, likely cranes or waterfowl, but I am puzzled as to why they would migrate in a snowstorm with the ground covered with snow and freezing temperatures. It's not like they will have an easy time of finding open water and food when they get here....
For that matter, the night before there was certainly a large migration of Fox Sparrows and Juncos as I had 3 fox Sparrows in my yard and people seem to have reported lots around Regina. We even had an Orange-crowed Warbler. We also had 4 Yellow-rumped warblers the day before.
I get that it's the right time of year and the winds are suitable but am surprised that the birds are not apparenlty being deterred by the weather. Well, the snow started melting on the 21st but in the morning the ground was still 100 % snow cover. On the 21st, open patches were visible at the bse of some trees and under spruce Much more open by the end fo the afternoon with the street 98 % clear. I must have been worried for nothing. Even the Yellow-rumps nd RCKI seem to be ok.
6181 Hello There!
This male Ruby-crowned Kingliet seems to be waving hello. In fact, he is likely landing or taking off. Home, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. 22 April 2023
The snow was all gone but a sudden snowstorm brought over a foot of snow on the 18th and 19th of April. Here is what I wrote on FB I checked the live bird migration map this morning and weather conditions. Seems like it snowed at least from S. Dakota to here. I also looked at maps to try to figure out the bird radar locations.
In spite of the wintry conditions, there was a large number of birds that left the area of Aberdeen, SD (where there is a big wildlife refuge) around 10 pm, and went generally NW, a bit over Bismark but mostly Minot, where activity peaked around 2- 3 am , 4 to 5 hours later to slowly disappear over the border into SK. I think the birds have to be strong flyers, likely cranes or waterfowl, but I am puzzled as to why they would migrate in a snowstorm with the ground covered with snow and freezing temperatures. It's not like they will have an easy time of finding open water and food when they get here....
For that matter, the night before there was certainly a large migration of Fox Sparrows and Juncos as I had 3 fox Sparrows in my yard and people seem to have reported lots around Regina. We even had an Orange-crowed Warbler. We also had 4 Yellow-rumped warblers the day before.
I get that it's the right time of year and the winds are suitable but am surprised that the birds are not apparenlty being deterred by the weather. Well, the snow started melting on the 21st but in the morning the ground was still 100 % snow cover. On the 21st, open patches were visible at the bse of some trees and under spruce Much more open by the end fo the afternoon with the street 98 % clear. I must have been worried for nothing. Even the Yellow-rumps nd RCKI seem to be ok.