Changeover Time

Contributed photo

Shona out at Wolf Hollow shares this note…

Have you seen a swallow lately, or a Rufous Hummingbird? There are still a few around but these, and many other little birds such as warblers and flycatchers, have started to head south for the winter. Soon, Ospreys and Turkey Vultures will be heading out too.

But as these birds are leaving, others are gradually arriving to spend the winter on and around the islands. Loons, grebes, mergansers and a range of ducks spent the summer raising their youngsters further north and are now coming south to winter in milder climates including the San Juans. Over the next few weeks more and more will arrive until you may see hundreds of birds in local bays and notice different birds turning up on your lake or pond. If you hear new bird calls in your yard or woodland, check it out. It may tell you that Golden-crowned Sparrows or tiny Ruby-crowned Kinglets have returned.

Right now is changeover time when there are still some of our summer birds around, winter birds are arriving and some species are just stopping off on the islands for a while on their migration further south. It is a great time to take you binoculars for a walk to see what you can spot.

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