A question about shorebirds:

Here in CT, we tend to see many shorebirds migrating east or west respectively along the shore
during the spring and fall migration. My question is; are most of these birds arriving at the
different shorelines of CT by following shorelines to the north (fall) or south (spring) or might
most or some of them be arriving at our shores (esp in the fall) from overland flights? CT having
a west to east running shoreline might make a difference.

We tend to see some numbers of these shorebirds regularly inland here in CT during the two
migrations. Most inland sightings seem to be concentrated at or near our north to south running
rivers such as the CT river. Might our rivers be important to some of these species migrations to
follow south or north?  Not much seems to be written about this of our State. Might someone shed
some light on this question here on this site?

Note of interest: Over the 30 years living in the town of Harwinton CT, a hilly, mountainous area
in the northwest corner bordered on the west by the Naugatuck river, I have discovered many
shorebird species seen in this town near water, on the ground or as fly overs.
Some are: Black-b-Plover, 2 Golden Plover (flyover), Semi-Plover, Dowitcher sp, Red Knot (15
flyover), Both Yellowlegs, Sanderlings (flock of 50+ flyovers), Pectoral, 2 Buff breasted (at high
school), 4Dunlin (at lake), Least, Semi Sandpipers. Also seen as flyovers: Common Tern, Laughing
Gull, Bonaparte's Gull, Glossy ibis.

Looking forward to any answers or sugestions.

Paul Carrier

Paul,

   Many shorebirds are migrating from the interior high arctic as well as from all along the arctic shoreline, and so they often migrate along a broad front.  Rarely do they head east and then down the Atlantic coast from Labrador.  In my estimation, they arc Southeast from the tundra slopes as far west as Alaska.  CT's east-west shoreline is a natural stopover point for many birds following this type of overland route.  The fact that many shorebird stopover areas are concentrated at the mouths of rivers is no coincidence, as this is common throughout the world.  River deltas and estuaries are natural stopover habitats with large concentrations of wetlands and marshes.  And because the river floodplains themselves often have excellent gravel bars, mudflats, and adjacent wetlands, these systems make natural migratory routes.
     So I would estimate that many of CT's shorebirds are migrating overland and stopping along the shore.  Rhode Island on the other hand may see more birds leaving the maritimes, stopping at Cape Cod and then heading for Eastern Long Island.  Unlike hawks, shorebirds are not dependent on thermals, however, and so they would not "hug" the coastline for Greenwich, as Broad-wings do.

Ross

Carrier Graphics carriergraphics@sbcglobal.net wrote:
A question about shorebirds:

Here in CT, we tend to see many shorebirds migrating east or west respectively along the shore
during the spring and fall migration. My question is; are most of these birds arriving at the
different shorelines of CT by following shorelines to the north (fall) or south (spring) or might
most or some of them be arriving at our shores (esp in the fall) from overland flights? CT having
a west to east running shoreline might make a difference.

We tend to see some numbers of these shorebirds regularly inland here in CT during the two
migrations. Most inland sightings seem to be concentrated at or near our north to south running
rivers such as the CT river. Might our rivers be important to some of these species migrations to
follow south or north? Not much seems to be written about this of our State. Might someone shed
some light on this question here on this site?

Note of interest: Over the 30 years living in the town of Harwinton CT, a hilly, mountainous area
in the northwest corner bordered on the west by the Naugatuck river, I have discovered many
shorebird species seen in this town near water, on the ground or as fly overs.
Some are: Black-b-Plover, 2 Golden Plover (flyover), Semi-Plover, Dowitcher sp, Red Knot (15
flyover), Both Yellowlegs, Sanderlings (flock of 50+ flyovers), Pectoral, 2 Buff breasted (at high
school), 4Dunlin (at lake), Least, Semi Sandpipers. Also seen as flyovers: Common Tern, Laughing
Gull, Bonaparte's Gull, Glossy ibis.

Looking forward to any answers or sugestions.

Paul Carrier

This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org

Ross Geredien
Good Migrations Photography
www.goodmigrationsphoto.com
1-610-850-5035

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I think a big factor that makes the mouths of rivers important to shorebirds is habitat.  Some of the best shorebird habitat is located at the mouths of rivers where there is often a juxtaposition of tidal marsh, mudflat and barrier beach habitat (Sandy Point is one exception for a coastal spot not associated with a major river).  This offers them foraging opportunities at all tide levels and importantly high tide roosting locations.  Some think that high tide roosting locations are a limiting factor for shorebird stopover locations, which is why it is so important not to disturb roosting shorebirds.  They get enough natural disturbance from Peregrines and Merlins and don't need any additional pressures.

Patrick Comins, Meriden.

FYI, there was a Green Violetear photographed in Maine last weekend.  It hasn't been seen again and isn't chaseable, but it does illustrate that it can pay to keep an eye on hummingbirds, not that you would have to look all that closely to pick this one out.

Not the photo from Maine, but a nice photo in case anyone wonders what they look like:
http://www.go2peru.com/imagenes2/ScreenSavers/green_violetear.jpg

Patrick Comins, Meriden

True that Sandy Point is not associated with any major river, although the entire harbor of New Haven is a formation that has a lot of similarities to a large estuary and river mouth.  The formation of the sand bars are undoubtededly the result of these similarities that produce similar tidal deposition as at the mouth of the CT River.  The only difference being that the volume of water flowing into New Haven Harbour is deceivingly small from the Mill and Quinnipiac Rivers.  I guess this is why early European settlers thought New Haven would be the largest city in New England, given its huge harbour, but were soon rudely awakened when they realized there was no extensive river system feeding into it!

But it is at the southern end of the Trap-Rock ridge system, so in that respect, it is primely situated geographically as a migratory stopover point.

Ross

"COMINS, Patrick" PCOMINS@audubon.org wrote:
I think a big factor that makes the mouths of rivers important to shorebirds is habitat. Some of the best shorebird habitat is located at the mouths of rivers where there is often a juxtaposition of tidal marsh, mudflat and barrier beach habitat (Sandy Point is one exception for a coastal spot not associated with a major river). This offers them foraging opportunities at all tide levels and importantly high tide roosting locations. Some think that high tide roosting locations are a limiting factor for shorebird stopover locations, which is why it is so important not to disturb roosting shorebirds. They get enough natural disturbance from Peregrines and Merlins and don't need any additional pressures.

Patrick Comins, Meriden.

This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org

Ross Geredien
Good Migrations Photography
www.goodmigrationsphoto.com
1-610-850-5035

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