Late Migrants or Overwintering Birds?
Published: December 22, 2023
Tags: General Observations, dunlin, gray catbird, hermit thrush
Some birds seem later than usual to migrate through Western New York. The Dunlin pictured below was a big surprise to find at this late date! Prior to this, my latest Dunlin was found after a storm in the beginning of November.
Another late bird was a Gray Catbird. They've usually migrated by the end of October so this guy was another surprise. He or she could be planning to overwinter, I suppose. That's always a gamble - but maybe this bird knows we're going to have a mild winter. I hope so!
I'm guessing the same story goes for the Hermit Thrush I found yesterday at another local park. Maybe another overwintering bird. It's hard to know why these birds are lingering here in the area.
Dunlin - a surprise find on the beach
Hope he moves on!
A lingering Gray Catbird - or an overwintering bird?
Hermit Thrush - late migrant or overwintering bird?
Maybe a migrant - maybe not, but I thought I'd post this guy anyway. He was a very small Sharp-shinned Hawk - most probably a male and a very cooperative bird as well!