Submitted by John Dickson,
OSFN Programming
The following is an excerpt from the Owen Sound Field Naturalists September Column.
The Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory (BPBO) hosted a Fall Open House on September 23 in Tobermory, at the Bruce Peninsula National Park Visitor Centre. For more information please visit www.bpbo.ca where you can also get an update on the recent bird migration activity with Station Scientist Stéphane Menu’s weekly blogs. Here is an excerpt from his latest:
“There’s a saying that ‘a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush’. a young Red-eyed Vireo was captured for the first time on August 31… Four days later, on September 4, the same bird was recaptured. In this short span of time, it increased its weight by 23.5%, a remarkable physiological feast and a sure proof that this bird is getting ready for the long and sustained effort of migration. Fat is the preferred fuel for migrating birds, providing more energy per unit than proteins or carbohydrates. It’s energy they need in order to fly 10 or 12 hours non-stop at night, over a series of multiple flights to reach their final winter destination.
With its bountiful energy stores (and a good measure of luck!), our young Red-eyed Vireo will fly all the way to the Amazon in Brazil, with no assistance from its parents, guided by an internal compass and clock.
Unfortunately, this bird – along with all long-distance migrants – will encounter many dangers on its way: bad weather, lack of food at stopover sites, predators like Sharp-shinned Hawks or feral/outdoor cats, collisions with windows, disorientation from artificial lights of ever-expanding cities, etc. It’s hard not to wish them luck as they embark on this, at times treacherous, journey.”
