All eyes are on Hurricane Helene as she marches her way toward Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. The forecast tells us we’ll be on the east side of the storm as it tracks through, which translates to the windy and rainy side. Up to 10″ of rain and wind gusts to 80 mph are being forecast far inland, with tropical Storm conditions expected along the coast.
While we prepare for the storm, secure the patio furniture, fill our cars with gas, and wipe out the grocery store, I can’t help but notice that our bird feeders have gotten busier. A reminder that September is a busy month, not just for hurricanes, but for bird migration as well. Birds that flew north for the summer breeding season are now flying the reverse route, back to warm, tropical climates to wait out winter. So what happens when birds flying south and hurricanes marching north collide? How do our feathered friends navigate the driving rain and strong winds?
According to Audubon Florida and The Cornell Lab: All About Birds, birds typically wait for favorable winds and weather to start their journey. Birds are sensitive to barometric pressure, giving them their own version of a weather forecast. But what if they’re already on their way when a storm hits? Their fat/fuel reserves are sufficient to get them through a long flight in normal conditions, but flying directly into headwinds is another matter.
Some birds have been caught on radar flying through the storm, using tailwinds to give them a boost. Birds with tracking devices have been found to fly back to where they started from to wait it out, adding several miles to their trip. Others have been seen trapped in the eye of the storm, unable to penetrate through the eyewall. And hurricanes are well known for blowing birds many miles off course, into unlikely areas. Those birds have to come down to rest, refuel, and wait out the storm – “fallout” as it’s called – much to the delight of local birders who have the rare opportunity to see these unexpected visitors.
In fact, just a year ago after Hurricane Idalia, multiple sightings of American Flamingos were reported, showing up all over the southeast in areas where they haven’t been seen in nearly a century! Normally found in the Caribbean, and occasionally making their way from the Bahamas over to southern Florida, it’s believed these birds hitched an unexpected ride north with Hurricane Idalia. Will this happen again? We won’t know for a few days, but keep your eyes open for the unexpected!
Pelagic birds, those who frequent the open ocean, tend to avoid hurricanes by flying around. Bob Mercer, one of our resident experts, advises “a storm like this may be an opportunity to spot rare birds such as the Magnificent Frigatebird, or a bird normally found only south of us.”
But what about our resident birds who stay in one place, how do they handle the change in weather? Cavity nesters may hide and wait it out. Perching birds have the ability to lock on to branches with their toes so they can find shelter in trees and wait out the storm. You may find birds seeking refuge in unusual places like porches, under eaves, or in garages.
Obviously birds have the ability to cope with living in nature and all it brings, but hurricanes impact birds and bird populations in many other ways as well. Habitat destruction is one such way. According to Georgia Wildife Resources Division, “when hurricanes wipe out coastal forests, birds lose valuable habitat to refuel before migrating to and from the tropics. Without the seeds, berries and insects normally found in these woodlands, migrants’ chances of survival are greatly reduced.”
What can we do to help? Audubon recommends making your yard “as bird-friendly as possible. This gives them a place to seek shelter when bad weather threatens. Put out hummingbird and seed feeders, and set out citrus and suet. Storm winds will strip nectar from flowers and may tear flowers, berries, and seeds from plants. Food can even be scarce for months following a major hurricane so continue to supply food for several months after a storm.”
If you’re like most people who appreciate nature and all its beauty, this is a subject that may not have crossed your mind, but one that definitely gives us something else to consider when preparing for upcoming storms. If you’d like to learn more, here are two great resources.
Out My Backyard: Hurricanes Can Effect Backyard Birds
Hurricane Disaster Relief for Birds: What to Expect and How to help
Resubmitted by Gina Sanders, Sept 2024