
Get ready for hawkwatching!
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My chickens will be relieved to hear this...
In the 80's and up to about 1995, you could drive on the Route 29 corridor from Culpeper, VA to 66 and see literally rivers of birds. The flow was especially magnificent in sections with the backdrop of the mountains. I also visited a wildlife refuge in NE NC and videod Artic tundra swans in huge numbers. When changing areas to feed, a few birds start and suddenly you have a wedge tornado shaped flying formation that is incredible to see. Alas now days I see fewer birds anytime of the year. I still stop and look/listen when I get the chance to see the birds.
how many birds do the fields of wind turbines along these migration routes kill each year?
That’s a very good point. Too many. Here’s a helpful reference guide to answer your question. As it says, “Determining what factors are different between areas with high fatality rates and low fatality rates can help us to install wind facilities in areas where they will have the least impact while still gaining the benefits of wind energy.”
I would like to read more about why birds fly in V shape while migrating and all about their fly trip. Thank you! Do you recommend a book about this subject?
Why do geese fly in a V? Because it would be too hard to fly in an S! Just kidding. There are 2 purposes:
1. It conserves their energy. Each bird flies slightly above the bird in front of them, resulting in a reduction of wind resistance. The birds take turns being in the front, falling back when they get tired. In this way, birds can fly for a long time before they must stop for rest.
2. The second benefit to the V formation is that it is easy to keep track of every bird in the group. Flying in formation may assist with the communication and coordination within the group. Fighter pilots often use this formation for the same reason.
I've seen lots of warblers and other birds passing through Connecticut. Here's a question for the expert: Why don't they just stay in one warm place instead of traveling north every year.
A good question...the tropics should be a land of plenty, right? It comes down to raising a family. Although food's available all year round down south, there are so many birds competing for it that the youngsters would never survive. Birds come northward to be able to spread out and find a territory big enough to support a nest of hungry chicks.
I love to watch the Buzzards gather for their flight south to Mexico. They circle up into the high atmosphere and become so small that they are barely visible, at other times I have seen more than 300 together circling then heading south. Amazing what they do. And to think, some hummingbirds are hitching a ride.
It's a compelling image--hummingbirds riding along on a vulture's back--but alas, there's no evidence for it. As Annie B. notes below, those hummers have to do it all on their own power. (Which might be even more amazing.)
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