Spring Migration 2023

Spring migration has already occurred, and thousands of birds are already nesting. This spring, I got the opportunity to photograph several colorful birds.

Migration: Bird migration is a seasonal movement that occurs twice, in the Winter season and Spring season, and is driven by the availability of food. While the majority migrate, very few will stay behind.

Scarlet Tanager:
One of my favorite birds that I got to photograph during the spring migration, was the Scarlet Tanager. Not only because of the striking colors but also because they’re a rarity to see. Tanagers, nest high up in trees, and are silent birds, making them difficult to locate. Scarlet Tanagers are long-distance migrators, wintering in South America. Migrating all the way to the United States during the spring. Their diet consists mostly of insects while also feeding on berries. For more information about them click here: https://palmerlakenature.wordpress.com/2022/05/17/scarlet-tanager/

American Redstart: Redstarts are New World warblers that are seen hopping around branches searching for insects. When an insect is found, the warbler will strike its tail and wing feathers startling its prey. Redstarts are singing warblers that nest in open areas in Northern America. Their diet consists of insects but will also feed on berries. Wintering in Northern South America, migrating north in the spring.

Tree Swallow: A popular bird among many. Among other species like bats and bluebirds, they play a role in integrated pest management for controlling farms and garden pest insects. They are also known as a welcome sign for spring in Northern America. Their diet consists mostly of insects.

Eastern Bluebird: Unlike the other birds that I mentioned in this post, bluebirds have a choice of whether they want to migrate or not. Large portions of Texas and New Mexico are wintering grounds for migrating bluebirds. Where places like Central America, and Southeastern US, they don’t migrate. They make a call that sounds like “chur lee” or “chir we” which also sounds like they’re saying “truly” or “purity”. Their diet consists mostly of insects and berries.

Yellow Warbler: The Yellow Warbler is a New World warbler that is widespread species found in North America during the summer, migrating to wintering grounds in South America like Peru and Bolivia. Their diet primarily consists of insects but will also feed on fruit. They’re also a regular host to the Brown-headed cowbird (a parasitic bird that lays eggs in other birds’ nests, letting the hosts raise their young).

American Goldfinch: Last but not least, the American Goldfinch. Part of the finch family, they’re easy to find and widespread across North America. Migrating all the way to Mexico during the winter, while migrating north during the spring. They’re active birds that are seen balancing on plants and plucking seeds. Listen for their call that sounds like po-ta-to-chip calls. Their diets consist primarily of seeds and insects.