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Posted by Paul on 14:03:32 04/06/07
I have no explanation to offer either to the bird sightings or lack thereof. But this is the worst year in 20 that I have experienced. At Hoechoka Hammock (24 acres) we have maybe two catbirds last year there was over 30-45. Cardinals are two, mockingbirds about 4 when in years past we sported 7 nesting pairs. Shike are one only (last year we had 6 nesting pairs). Killdeers are none. Last year the parking lots and fields were loaded with them. Robin and robin overflights very scarce. Blue Jays are at good numbers. Crow number are down to very few. Monk parakeets are off considerably. Anhingas are better than last year. So far this year no orioles, redstarts, goldfinch and gnatcathcers are few and far between. All warblers are significantly down in numbers and appearances and no songs at all.
Many factors enter into this event. And most have been spoken about or one could imagine from field experience. But there is one situation I wonder about. Hurricane Wilma came in strongly and from the wrong direction and at the time of migration through Florida. Is it possible that the east track, fast forward motion, southeast winds and intensity may have severely impacted the migration so as to catch the birds over the ocean and along the 10,000 islands and sweep a good number to Gulf of Mexicon oblivion. And then we see that Broward County lost 30% of its tree cover to Wilma which means less insect provisions among the shattered limbs. That could be a lethal double whammy both coming and going.
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