Fall migration

Eagles, osprey, hawks, monarch butterflies and other species are all migrating to their winter habitats now. If we get strong winds from the north or northwest, you may see bald eagle or osprey overhead. Broad-winged and sharp-shinned hawks are the two raptors with the largest number of birds flying at this time. The lookout at South Mountain is one popular spot for observing bird migration in our area.

Birders are also seeing many species of warblers flying south, resting as they journey. Last week there were reports of more than a hundred thousand monarch butterflies in the Cape May and Delaware beach areas in a short period of time. What a sight that must have been!

Nature Notes for 9/26/2010