"Other" Case Studies

Post-Roost Flight Case Studies:

The Dunes, Norfolk, Ontario - August 9, 2019 

ebird checklist - google maps for location - archived weather conditions - surface map

Key Species: 

• 100,000+ Swallows

As noted above, this type of flight would not generally be considered part of the true morning flight phenomenon. However, people documenting flights are likely to encounter birds moving to or from roost habitats. With skies literally filled with Swallows, it is easy to recognize this post-roost behaviour at places like Long Point. What is less readily noticed however are groups of Mourning Doves, Blackbirds, American Robins, Bobolink or other species which also make similar daily movements and could be readily mistaken for active migrants. 

Emergency Flight Case Studies:

Grand Bend Beach, Lambton, Ontario - October 19, 2022

ebird checklist - google maps for location - archived weather conditions - surface map

Key Species: 

• ~35 Kinglets

• 1 Brown Creeper

• 1 Winter Wren 

Also not really part of the morning flight phenomenon, birders will sometimes encounter unexpected species of birds flying over open water and returning to shore in the morning hours following a strong nocturnal migration. These emergency flights are a necessity rather than an intended behaviour. In this case study, a strong convergence zone created over Lake Huron had effectively "captured" songbirds and was concentrating their return point over land. These convergence zones (which can become lake-effect rain or snow bands) can also cause significant mortality due to exhaustion and depredation. 

Other: 

Lambton, Ontario - Oct 3, 2020 (after effects)