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Posted by Andy Wraithmell on 18:47:07 11/20/14
In Reply to: Birds and Weather - a serious discussion posted by Toe
In 11 years it hasn't been this cold in Tallahassee before Thanksgiving. Sub zero temps here the last 2 days, last week's front dipped down to mid 30s. Next front approaching with 30s predicted. I think a combination of factors triggers migration. Food availability, photoperiod, sea temp, air temp. Very few sparrows have arrived here despite this early series of frigid fronts. In past years sparrow arrival is determined by fronts regardless of temps behind it. Not this fall or last fall. Pathetic numbers really and hard to find 15 species in a day when it's normally quite easy if you're savvy.
I've seen more White-faced Ibis than Gray Catbirds this month! Have they been pushed over us, have they yet to migrate from the north. Duck numbers seem to be normal. All our flowering plants are freeze fried which could mean we'll see wintering hummingbirds at our feeders earlier than normal.
In my relatively short time as a Tallahassee resident I've come to the conclusion that dry cold fronts are crap and temperature up north plays very little role in determining the number of migrants we get.
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