In September, bird species respond to the cooling weather with markedly different strategies. Those flashy little hummingbirds, who live their lives in the nectar-guzzling fast lane, give the impression they're in a hurry to get to their tropical vacation.
Meanwhile, stolid Sandhill Cranes appear to savor the simple joys of a slower life. They don't bother to lose their old, mud-stained feathers in a flurry of activity; they pause to take in the sights and hork down some delicious, nutritious grubs. As their new grey plumage grows in during the autumn season, they'll continue south on their own leisurely schedule.
Then, there are the chickadees. These hardy, practical birds don't back down in the face of a little cold weather! They fluff up their downy feathers, prepare a couple thousand tiny storehouses of seeds, and come together in mixed flocks to pass the winter in style and comfort.
As for me, I've got the sweet tooth of a hummingbird, the fashion sense of a mud-stained crane, and the short-term memory of an unconscious chickadee. Luckily for me, there's no need to search for a new winter habitat. I've got maple syrup in the cabinet, no illusions of grandeur, and the opportunity to replay John Latimer's reports ad nauseum whenever I forget things!
Enjoy this week's report, and let me know - which bird do you most identify with? What habitat suits you best?
Topics
- Introduction (0:00-0:31)
- Hummingbirds head south (0:31-3:31)
- Robins flock and forage (3:31-5:59)
- Geese and crows fielding for oats (5:59-6:18)
- The grubby diet and muddy plumage of Sandhill Cranes (6:18-7:49)
- Migratory darners and other flying insects (7:49-10:10)
- Unappreciated orchids (10:10-11:25)
- Wildflowers (11:25-13:36)
- Colorful leaves (13:36-15:42)
Do you have any big September plans? Do they involve Grand Rapids Riverfest this weekend? Let us know what your future holds, and grab your tickets here!
That does it for this week! For more phenology, <b>subscribe</b> to our Season Watch Newsletter or visit the Season Watch Facebook page.
Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
