Fall Migration
As birds fly south to their wintering grounds, habitat on the shores of Lake Erie act as key stopovers for migrants to rest and refuel. This guide provides detailed overviews of fall migration, including timing for different species’ arrivals and peaks. During fall, birds migrate slower, resulting in fall migration being stretched over several months, while spring migration mainly occurs in force during April and May.
September
Warblers, flycatchers, vireos, and thrushes peak during September, with thrushes slightly later in the month. Yellow-rumped, Palm, and Orange-crowned Warblers are later migrants as well. By late September, sparrows begin to migrate, along with Blue-winged and Green-winged Teals, and Forster’s and Common Terns. Shorebird migration continues through September. Parasitic and Long-tailed Jaegers can be found in September.
October
Warblers decline, while sparrow migration continues strongly throughout October, though some later warblers such as Yellow-rumped, Palm, and Orange-crowned peak. Kinglets, Brown Creepers, Hermit Thrush, and American Pipit peak in October as well. Waterfowl migration, mainly dabblers, occurs in force. During the end of the month, Northern Saw-whet and Long-eared Owls peak, though they are difficult to find and are highly sensitive species. October is the best month for vagrant Cave Swallows, occurring almost yearly in Ohio.
November
By now, most songbirds are well past, though winter finches begin to peak in November. Longspurs and Snow Buntings peak as well. Waterfowl reach their peak, with sea ducks being a main feature of November. Bonaparte’s Gulls, along with the occasional Black-legged Kittiwake or Little Gull, migrate in November. During the right conditions, lakewatches can provide huge numbers of ducks and gulls, and several rare species are most likely in November, such as Pomarine Jaeger, Red-necked Grebe, and Little Gull.
December
Most birds are well past their peak, but many waterfowl, especially sea ducks, and winter finches continue to migrate. Purple Sandpipers and Snowy Owls may arrive in December. Winter rarities may also show up, like Red-necked Grebe or Harlequin Duck.
Source: “Timing of Fall Migration.” Black Swamp Bird Observatory