Island birding expert Pam Grassmick reports that the fall migration of birds is now underway, with thousands of species making their way south along the Great Lakes flyway. Most of this remarkable journey happens at night, when cooler air helps birds conserve energy and darkness offers protection from predators. That makes it especially important for island residents to turn off unnecessary outdoor lights or use fixtures that shine downward, helping keep Beaver Island skies dark and safe for migrating flocks.
Through the end of October, birders can look for a wide variety of species passing through the island. Warblers, thrushes, and sparrows are among the early migrants, followed by flocks of Sandhill Cranes, waterfowl like ducks and geese, and raptors such as hawks and eagles that ride thermals southward. Shorebirds are also on the move, stopping at beaches and wetlands to refuel before continuing their long flights.
For those hoping to help the migrants along, fall is a good time to keep bird feeders clean and stocked, especially with high-energy foods like black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seed for finches, and suet for woodpeckers and nuthatches. Providing a clean source of water can be just as important as food, since natural water sources may be scarce or fouled during the fall.
Watching is best done early in the morning after night flights, when migrants are most active in trees and shrubs. Quiet observation along trails, open meadows, and the shoreline can yield spectacular views of birds resting and feeding. Pairing binoculars with a field guide or a birding app will help identify the many species stopping on Beaver Island during their journey south.
With dark skies, safe stopovers, and attentive observers, Beaver Island continues to be an important haven for birds on the move each fall.
A prior version of this story first appeared on wvbi,net
