Bird Fallout

"What a difference a space makes, 24 little hours." 

Baltimore Oriole - Joe Motto

Two days ago while sitting on our deck above Bull Creek I saw a rose-breasted grosbeak in a tree, followed shortly by a Baltimore oriole.  Turning to the gravel drive we saw the brightest blue of an indigo bunting, all arriving within minutes.  Charley Burwick responded that "there was a big fallout of birds yesterday, and today, and expected tomorrow."  I was aware of the fallout concept but wanted to learn more.

Indigo Bunting - Joe Motto

Searching for more information, the space between "fallout" and "fall out" is critical.   A search for "fall out" brings up post-apocalyptic computer role-playing games, something I don't need in these COVID times.  Searching "Bird fall out" brings up sensational news stories of large numbers of dead birds falling from the sky as described in birdsfallfromsky.com.  Now thoroughly depressed I searched for "bird fallout" and found what Charley was referring to.  This is a bird fallout as described in Wikipedia.

"Bird fallout or migration fallout is the result of severe weather preventing migratory birds from reaching their destination. This can occur while birds are traveling south or returning to their breeding grounds.^[1] Due to the distance traveled, birds will not have enough energy to continue flight when encountering high winds. This exhaustion results in many birds resting in one area. This may be very stressful on the birds and on the surrounding ecology.^[1] Bird fallout is not particularly common, as it stems from the chance event of severe winds found in inclement weather. Due to the rare occurrence of a migratory fallout, as well as the abundance of birds resting in a single location, it is a sought-after event for birders."

Jay McEntee, Missouri State University ornithologist, sent me this Live Migration Map site from Cornell Lab of Ornithology.  When stuck inside, this will help to entertain a geeky Nature Nerd for hours but may interest the rest of you as well.  After that, get back out in the sunshine!