| Bird
migration is an interesting study. Some breeds travel as
little as 60 miles while others (such as Sanderlings, Ruddy
Turnstones, and Red Knots) fly over 9,000 miles one way. Some birds
don't migrate at all. Billions of birds fly over South Carolina
every spring. Many stop here awhile for food, water, and rest.
Why do birds migrate, and why do
some birds have such long migrations? Several breeds
nest in the summer months in the Arctic where there is no human
disturbance. Birds typically plan their trips around the
availability of their food supply in specific locations. They also
seem to know where the greatest dangers are and where their
chicks would be safest from consumption by predators.*
How can birds find their way to
the same destination every year? Some birds return to the same
tree every year for breeding! Even eight months and 2,000 miles
don't keep certain species from identifying their claimed
spot. Some follow their ancestors to learn the landmarks. Some
go by the angle of the sun or, at night, the stars and
constellations. Some even have magnetite, a magnetic mineral, in
their brain, acting like a compass. Some use smell, hearing and
other senses.*
|
Piping Plovers on the beach at Port
Royal
Plantation, Oct. 2007
|
What are the greatest dangers
birds face during their migration? Hurricanes and other strong
storms can change their course. Raptors such as hawks, falcons and
owls prey on smaller birds. Roaming outdoor cats eat millions of birds every
year--being their biggest danger. Radio and TV tower lights
interfere with migration. Many birds are killed when they collide
with plate-glass skyscrapers. And an increasingly common problem is
that they are running out of places to land for feeding and
resting.*
Below is a table of commonly-seen
(not all-inclusive) birds who
either breed or winter in the Lowcountry. This will tell you when to
look for them.
|
