by Alexandre Terrigeol
As we begin fall migration, with the first migrants already moving into the southern part of the province, we’re going to try and offer you a forecast of this year’s conditions.
Back to spring
Earlier this year, the migration had gone off without a hitch, even disappointing some birders. Birds had taken advantage of particularly early, favorable conditions to migrate as far north as the United States and southern Quebec, while northern Quebec remained rather cold. However, some species, such as the Ruby-crowned Kinglet, the Purple Finch and the Slate-colored Junco, made their presence felt.
A few favorable periods later, and the passage of several tens of thousands of warblers during our bird migration count, and the birds were already on their nesting sites, some almost 2 weeks earlier than in recent years. These conditions enabled the birds to settle in quickly, to take advantage of the peak food supply essential to the development of their young.
Summer weather conditions
The year 2023 was marked by devastating spring (and summer) fires in the province, and more widely in Canada, followed by particularly heavy rainfall. While the former destroys nesting sites, the latter can also reduce the reproductive success of species.
This year, however, the fires – part of the boreal forest’s natural cycle – have not been as severe as expected, while the rainfall has not been as spectacular, resulting in rather dry conditions. At the same time, taking advantage of a mild winter, we are witnessing a resurgence in the spruce budworm outbreak.
The abundance of this caterpillar, native to North America and a staple of the diet of a number of boreal forest birds, bodes well for the future. The Cape May Warbler, for example, lays an average of 6 eggs, which have as much chance of flying off and starting their migration as there is food in the boreal forest.
Impact on boreal birds
These conditions, combined with the first observations made by our field teams, notably during our research programs at the Cap-Tourmente National Wildlife Area, augur well for the fall migration. Indeed, large numbers of Blackburnian Warblers, Tennessee Warblers and Bay-breasted Warblers (photo), which feed mainly on Spruce Budworm, have already been observed on the move. American waxwings also seem particularly abundant this year.
Nevertheless, it remains difficult to predict with any certainty how the migration will unfold, and we’ll keep you informed of our observations. If you want to enjoy the fall migration, there’s nothing better than to visit the Côte-Nord during the week of the 14th Côte-Nord Migratory Bird Festival, to enjoy this natural spectacle!
To keep up with our teams, you can visit the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area from August 1 to October 30 and watch the passerines being banded, or follow their data on Trektellen.
You’ll also find our team at the Dunes de Tadoussac between August 24 and November 25, and you can follow the observations on Trektellen too. You’ll also find our biologist between September 7 and November 6 particularly during the Boreal and Northern Saw-whet Owl research program.
To book a Boreal and Northern Saw-whet Owl evening.
