Migration Report from Texas to Bird Migration Unit
Just returned from the Texas Gulf Coast (Corpus Christi up to Freeport) and
it was easy to see that migration is really happening. Birds are pouring
through. I saw hundreds of Green Herons, hummingbirds, Broad-winged Hawks,
shorebirds, warblers, tanagers, etc. As a cold front hit the coast, bringing
cool temperatures and north winds, thousands of migrants landed in yards,
forests, and any patch of green. For birders it was wonderful. But, for the
birds, it wasn't good. I don't know how many birds are involved, but
conditions like these cause great mortality among the small birds that cross
the Gulf. Headwinds and rain simply wear them down and eventually they fall
into the water. Each year some mortality occurs, but this year there seem to
be more cold fronts than normal - which means greater mortality. Also, when
the birds reach shore, especially those that are insect eaters, there are
fewer insects because of the cold. Thus, these starving birds find little
food. This is also the case over much of the northeast now. Purple Martins,
swallows, and hummingbirds will simply starve. Not all of them, but
certainly some.
Texas and other locations around the Gulf of Mexico are extremely important
to migrants because it is the first landfall of millions and millions of
migrating songbirds, shorebirds, egrets, swallows, and some others. These
are critical feeding and resting habitats. The Gulf Coast is also neat
because it is about one-half way between New Jersey and Costa Rica, the
beginning and end of migration for many birds. It is truly a critical link.
That's the migration report from Texas!
Paul Kerlinger
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