Each year a wave
of migratory birds from the tropics wings along the shores of Lake Ontario
heralding the arrival of spring. For years local bird enthusiasts have
found that songbirds concentrate in habitat near the shoreline of Lake
Ontario during spring migration. Experienced birders often encounter
more than 40 migrant species in a single shoreline woodlot in one morning.
A pioneering two-year study, conducted by The
Nature Conservancy and
the New
York Natural Heritage
Program,
documented
songbird concentrations in forests and
shrubby habitat all along New York's Lake
Ontario shoreline. Forested and shrubby
habitat within a half mile of the lake's
shoreline is especially important to a
large number of migrating songbirds.
One possible explanation
is that the lake functions as a barrier
to the bird's daytime movements. The long
stretch of open space over the lake offers
neither food nor cover from predators.
Rather than venturing into the open, some
songbirds stay in woody areas near the
shore and wait to cross the lake under the safety
of darkness. Others turn and fly along
the shoreline staying close to cover as they migrate.
Another possible explanation is that the lake and its nearby wetlands
provide a cornucopia of food for birds and other wildlife. Each spring
hoards of insects hatch from the lake and shoreline wetlands. This abundant
food supply may attract birds. The
Nature Conservancy documented this
relationship between insect hatches and the attraction of birds along the shores of Lake Huron, but the relationship has yet to be studied
along Lake Ontario's shoreline.
To experience the migration along the Lake
Ontario shoreline, visit one of the many
state
parks, state
wildlife management areas, Bird
Conservation Areas, Important
Bird Areas, or privately
owned sanctuaries that are open to the
public. For information about birding and
where to watch birds check with your local
bird club.
Text from: Migrant
Songbirds Along Lake Ontario's Shore,
The Nature Conservancy, 1995 [47MB
PDF].
