"Early" birds

[Bird Brain]

Hi everyone.  I'm following various birding pages on Facebook and amazed at very "early" birds showing up in January - eg. RWBB's (m+f) and Brown-headed Cowbirds (m+f).  Very odd especially with the cold weather we've been having.   

[Shortsighted]

I had the same thought. eBird has reported species that really shouldn't be here in January. The Guelph area, north shore of L. Erie and even the Ottawa area has been the source of weird reports: Hermit thrush, Ovenbird, B. oriole, Brown thrasher, House wren, Western tanager, killdeer, even some warblers, like Pine warbler. I can't recall all the other strange reports. The Unwin bridge site has had YR warbler, Gray catbird and Palm warbler. Humber marshes had YR warbler, orange-crowned warbler, Hermit thrush. CSSP has a resident B. thrasher. I'm sure that Mulder & Scully couldn't figure it out either if they weren't retired. Strange times.

[Bird Brain]

I'm sure that Mulder & Scully couldn't figure it out either if they weren't retired. Strange times.

  . Thought I usually don't see Baltimore Orioles until May or June but seeing current photos from various cities.  A lot of people are questioning if birds left or stuck around and now showing up at feeders - but, THAT many?!  Things that make me go Hmmm.  Feels like living in an episode of The Twilight Zone!   

[Dr. John]

Given how moderate the temperatures were up until January, I can understand why some birds might have become confused.

[Shortsighted]

Bird migration is triggered by length of daylight more than anything else and climate change doesn't influence the amount of actual daylight in a 24 hour period. If warmer weather and more available food is starting to play a stronger role then birds would be showing a preference, weighing the urge to migrate with the perceived need to migrate. That's an executive decision. If I'm still around in a few years then the birds might be smarter than me. It just shows you how prescient you are choosing a name like Bird Brain. Just think, some of us are worried about AI and yet now birds are engaged in a grand plan of their own.

[Charline]

On the other hand, have you seen any snowy owls?

[Dr. John]

Bird migration is triggered by length of daylight more than anything else and climate change doesn't influence the amount of actual daylight in a 24 hour period. If warmer weather and more available food is starting to play a stronger role then birds would be showing a preference, weighing the urge to migrate with the perceived need to migrate. That's an executive decision. If I'm still around in a few years then the birds might be smarter than me. It just shows you how prescient you are choosing a name like Bird Brain. Just think, some of us are worried about AI and yet now birds are engaged in a grand plan of their own.

I know daylight length is a main factor in migration.  But some birds who typically migrate end up overwintering.  I have no idea why, but I wonder if temperature and available food supply are determining factors.  If they can survive the winter in a colder climate, they would have a head start on prime nesting territory in the spring ahead of the migrants and thus have a selective advantage.

[Bird Brain]

Dr. John - in past years I've seen the occasional bird overwinter but this year there seems to be dozens!  Exciting for birders and photographers!  A lady living close to Waterloo had a Harris's Sparrow (beautiful Winter plumage) at her feeder yesterday.  Not sure if she reported this to eBird or not?  Apparently this is a very rare/unusual sighting!  As you mentioned, weather didn't turn cold here until January.


Charline - re: Snowy Owls, not for many years!  Last time I was birding in Etobicoke.  Apparently someone in Hamilton saw one this month. Sent you a message but not sure if you received it. Having trouble with my cell phone.

[Shortsighted]

Snowy breeding in 2023 was greatly curtailed because of a drop in lemming population, therefore fewer snowy owls will be seen in Southern Ontario this winter, which may also mean that other birds of prey will need to pick up the slack.

[Charline]

I was on the island yesterday. Saw lots of robins. Heard a woodpecker but could not find it. Lots of diving ducks too.


People said there were screech owls and other owls. One guy had an infrared sensor which could detect hidden birds. He didn't find any either.

[Bird Brain]

.Heard a woodpecker but could not find it.

Could you tell which woodpecker it was by the sound?