Category Archives: Bird Migration

Small Post, Big News

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Wilson's Warbler - Cardellina pusilla - Peachtree Park, Atlanta, GA - January 10, 2017

Wilson’s Warbler – Cardellina pusilla

On Tuesday afternoon this week a very small bright yellow bird showed up and was foraging for insects on and near our deck.  We grabbed a camera just in case he was somebody cool; turns out, he was indeed very cool.  The bird is a Wilson’s Warbler and is a migrant rarely seen in Georgia.  The sighting is even more unusual because this little bird should have been in his Central American winter home a couple of months ago.

Unsure of ourselves, we asked our trusted bird-savvy friends to confirm the ID.  On Thursday we posted a note on UGA’s Ornithological list-serve announcing our find.  On Friday, Atlanta Audubon sent a very knowledgeable person over to see if he could see the bird – and he did!

This is just one of many reasons why urban neighborhoods like ours are so important.  This migrant lost his way or his timing and has been able to survive here in spite of the cold. Probably because food, water and shelter are all available.  We’re still on the lookout hoping to catch another glimpse.

Wilson’s Warbler – Cardellina pusilla
Wilson’s Warbler – Cardellina pusilla
Wilson’s Warbler – Cardellina pusilla

References and Additional Information

[1]  Cornell – All About Birds:  Wilson’s Warbler

Headed South from Jekyll

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One week ago we were on Jekyll Island and took the opportunity to visit The Jekyll Island Banding Station – JIBS. This was a great treat, and the folks who volunteer to collect data on birds migrating south were very gracious with their time and information.

White-eyed Vireo - Vireo griseus Jekyll Island, GA - October, 2016

White-eyed Vireo – Vireo griseus – Banding Station on Jekyll Island, GA – October, 2016

We talked with Evan Pitman, a third-generation bander, who is heading the effort this year. He told us that they have been banding birds in this location since 1978 – 38 years.   From 1978 until 2000 it was run by Don and Doris Coors, and then it was picked up by his father.

Blackpoll Warbler - Steophaga striata Jekyll Island, GA - October, 2016

Blackpoll Warbler – Steophaga striata

Evan and the JIBS volunteers catch migratory songbirds in mist nets and then place very light-weight identification tags on them.  This enables them to monitor specific species, track individual birds, and collect health information as birds gain mass and fat for migration further south. Some birds are coming to stay, and some birds are just passing through.

Evan told us that in previous years with more people and nets (as many as 27), they banded 2,700 birds one season.  This year they have 17 nets and expect to band about 1,500 birds.  They’re trying to expand the season from 3 weeks to 4 weeks in order to collect more data.

This location is in the critical path for many of our migrants so JIBS is able to monitor the long-term health of specific species as well as overall numbers.  Audubon lists Jekyll Island as an Important Bird Area and says that since 1978, over 40,000 birds have been banded.

We’re lucky to have many of these same birds pass through our area, including Summer Tanagers, vireos, grosbeaks, and many species of warbler.

References and Additional Information

[1]  Coastal Birding Georgia blog: Banding on Jekyll Island
[2]  Audubon:  Important Bird Areas – Jekyll Island Georgia