Birds; What's happening now?

Semipalmated Plover

Semipalmated Plovers are migrating

What's happening in the world of birds now?

1. Shorebirds are starting to migrate and will continue big time in Aug. Many shorebirds have completed their breeding cycle and are leaving their nesting areas in far northern North America and beginning their journey south. Birders on the NH coast are reporting seeing Semipalmated Plovers, Greater Yellowlegs, and Semipalmated Sandpipers. MA birders who go to South Beach, off Chatham, Cape Cod, are reporting large numbers of shorebirds such as the ones just mentions plus, Hudsonian and Marbled Godwits, Whimbrels, Willets, Red Knots, Lesser Yellowlegs, Black-bellied Plovers, Sanderlings, Short-billed Dowitchers and more. You can see shorebirds at coastal and inland water locations, so take your binos this weekend and see what you can find. If you are shorebird ID-challenged try our Stokes Beginner's Guide To Shorebirds.

2. Backyard birds are on their second and third broods. Some birds nest only once but many, such as Cardinals, House Wrens, Bluebirds, Eastern Phoebes, and more can nest two or even three times, especially in southern areas.

I don't know about you, but here in inland southern NH we are in a big drought. Gardens are dry, lawns are parched. There have been some thunderstorms but they are very local and have missed us. We are keeping bird baths full, hummer feeders fresh and feeders full for all the birds, especially the ones who bring their fledglings. Clean out bird houses, so cavity nesters can have a second chance.

We're off on a birding trip, see you next week.