Having millions of years of evolution behind them, birds develop severe weather strategies that have served them well overall.  Different species respond differently, and the time of year also impacts how birds deal with and can be impacted storms. 

Birds in Florida or migrating through the state and across the Gulf are most impacted by tropical storms and hurricanes.  Some species literally hunker down and endure.  Predominantly ground species, including cranes, often simply face into the wind and stay put until conditions improve.  Smaller ground birds seek shelter by finding tall grasses or bushes for some protection.  Others may find a suitable tree that offers some protection if they perch near the trunk.  Cavity birds like to find a hidey-hole to wait out the storm.  Some pelagic birds, those that spend the vast majority of their lives at sea, have been documented flying in the eyes of hurricanes and then as the storm falls apart they can escape the winds, resulting in unusual sighting locations after the hurricane passes. 

Sensitivity to barometric pressure changes can help birds determine whether to fly out before a storm or delay progressing along migratory paths until conditions improve.  This year, BirdCast noted significant migratory changes in September before and after Hurricane Helene.  It’s estimated over a half BILLION birds shifted from the Atlantic Flyway to the Mississippi Flyway during the overnight hours from September 27 to 28 to avoid the storm!  And during Hurricane Milton, at least two cruise ships in the Gulf of Mexico reporting fallouts with thousands of birds and moths crashing onto their decks.  Unfortunately not all birds survived, some were injured, and some just needed a place of safety to literally ride out the hurricane.  This also occurs on land, which is why wildlife care centers experience high intake volumes after major weather events.

And what about our rookery birds?  It seems some have decided to meet up and beginning nesting already!  Stop over for a look at the first Double-crested cormorant and Great egret pairs.  The new breeding season may be starting early this year.   

- Jean Pichler, President