Spring migrants late in arriving

The March weather has been unremarkable, a mixed bag of coastal weather with no major warm fronts to push spring along. Consequently, the indicators of springtime such as the blossoming of various trees including the flowering cherries on the streets of Sechelt, magnolias, etc. are running a little late this year by a few days. Bird migration responds to weather patterns in that a particularly vigorous warm front from the south will bring migrants with it. Thus, suddenly one morning swallows may be present, or there are hordes of warblers in the trees, or gangs of rufous hummingbirds besieging a feeder where there were none previously. In light of the above, the migration season so far has been delayed with just a few individuals of the various species dribbling into our area rather than any mass arrivals of thousands. Despite that, at least 16 migrant species have been reported during March. 

Throughout the month there has been a steady movement of trumpeter swans over and along the Sunshine Coast as these birds migrate to their northern breeding grounds. John Hodges reported the biggest flock of 100 birds on March 11 over Roberts Creek. 

There have been scattered reports of the two early arriving swallow species, violet-green and tree swallows, but the cool weather has not been conducive to the insects on which the swallows feed. Likewise for yellow-rumped warblers, which are usually very abundant by late March. For many people, the real harbinger of spring is the rufous hummingbird and in many years they are quite common by the last few days of March. Not so this year. Richard Potter on Gambier Island reported the first rufous of the year at his feeder on March 19, but there have been very few reports in the subsequent week. 

Other migrant species that have appeared include a flock of six brown-headed cowbirds on the very early date of March 2 (Marcia Mason), turkey vulture first reported on the 4th (Barb Harrington), western meadowlark on the 15th (John Hodges), greater yellowlegs on the 17th (Marcia Mason), American goldfinch on the 18th (Geoff Carr), band-tailed pigeon on the 23rd (Barry Janyk), and mountain bluebird, also on the 23rd (Marcia Mason). 

We are on the brink of the migrant flood gates opening, so keep watching! To report your sightings or questions contact [email protected] or 604-885-5539.

Good birding!