Outdoor Ontario

Discussion => Behaviour => Topic started by: Bluffs Birder on July 27, 2012, 12:19:50 AM

Title: Migrating already?
Post by: Bluffs Birder on July 27, 2012, 12:19:50 AM

My birding friend Phil Lameira and I were down in the Niagara Region on Wednesday and around dusk we noticed several hundred Grackles, Red-wings and Starlings heading south over the farm fields in very large groups.  Likely a couple of thousand birds in total.  Would this be a mass post-nesting movement or an actual migration south.  Thoughts?

Walter

Title: Re: Migrating already?
Post by: thouc on July 27, 2012, 09:42:31 AM

I would guess post-nesting gatherings. There are usually large flocks of blackbirds/starlings in farmland areas late summer/fall.

/Thomas

Title: Re: Migrating already?
Post by: Bluffs Birder on July 27, 2012, 02:59:16 PM

Thanks Thomas.  Amazing to see so many birds gathered together already.  Us big city folk just don't get to see this!

Walter