18 Nebraskaland • March 2020
By the time most sandhill cranes and the hordes of geese
leave central Nebraska in early April, the migration of many
avian species through the state is either just beginning or has
yet to start. If considering the totality of spring migration for
all species, it can commence as early as late January for a
few hardy birds and does not end until the last white-rumped
sandpipers and black terns pass through the state during the
first third of June. Thus, the ornithological calendar does not
necessarily align with the astronomical one.
Many spring migrants are still moving north at the same
time local breeding birds are incubating eggs or tending to
young. If focusing on only individual birds, the majority of
spring migration actually occurs from late April through late
May when millions of songbirds such as warblers, buntings,
orioles and flycatchers invade North America from tropical
and subtropical clines.
These migrants may not produce the astonishing spectacle
as a congregation of thousands of sandhill cranes or clouds
of snow and Ross's geese blanketing the sky. Nevertheless,
these small, brightly colored long-distant travelers can be
equally as enjoyable to experience.
One spring migrant in Nebraska is the Cape May warbler,
a striking yellow and black bird that weighs less than a
greeting card. Cape May warblers spend the winter in Central
and South America and the Carribean. Despite their small
size each bird will travel across the continent in one month
to arrive in the northern U.S. and Canada to breed. Every few
days brings new arrivals that have been absent from our
region for months.
Birdwatchers relish this time of year, and during the first
half of May, the most ardent birders can tally a hundred
species or more in a single day. Casual backyard bird
enthusiasts can take part by putting out hummingbird or
oriole feeders to welcome these new arrivals. From beginning
to end, the migration of all birds in spring is something
everyone can enjoy.
Visit birdsofnebraska.org for more Nebraska bird information.
IN THE FIELD
CAPE
MAY
WARBLER.
PHOTO
BY
PHIL
SWANSON
MORE THAN CRANES
By Joel Jorgensen
