As hummingbirds are migrating and making crucial stopovers during September, it is interesting to learn more about the biology and energetics of how some Ruby-throated Hummingbirds prepare for long non-stop fall migration flights. During a study of Ruby-throats making a stopover in southern Alabama, one of several interesting pieces of information was discovered that permitted researchers to estimate that the "average" Ruby-throated Hummingbird has a nonstop migration flight range of about 1,320 miles. 

Shorebirds are delightful to observe, but identifying them can be a challenge. To help you identify sandpipers, plovers, and similar shorebirds, there is now a way to learn the relative sizes of shorebirds with a new downloadable ID guide: The Shorebird Yardstick. Because the 47 species of shorebirds regularly found in the United States and Canada often show similar shapes and color patterns, estimating their size is one of the most important clues to help you identify each species. Rather than sizing them by inches, biologists have found it is easiest to try to measure shorebirds relative to each other – by comparing a common species to the bird in your binocular view.

Birders from across the continent, including people of all ages and experience levels, are choosing the day of their choice between September 15 and October 15 to identify as many bird species as you can. In this way, birders will be helping to raise funds to support the work of Point Blue Conservation Science's work to advance the conservation of birds, wildlife, and ecosystems through science, partnerships, and outreach. Formerly the Point Reyes Bird Observatory, you can join Point Blue's month of Bird-A-Thon events in-person or on-line to learn about planned activities and to connect with fellow birders. 

This summer the Cornell Lab of Ornithology welcomed 16 teenagers to Ithaca, New York for the 15th annual Young Birders Event. These young birders spent 4 days learning about career paths in ornithology, attending hands-on workshops with Lab staff and biologists and, of course, getting outdoors for lots of birding. The Young Birders Event brings together teenagers with a passion for birds who are interested in pursuing a career with birds as a focus. They meet people who have successful careers that involve birds in a variety of ways from ornithologists and illustrators to audio specialists and computer scientists. 

The largest lake in the world was calm and clear as far as I could see across Lake Superior while walking through the elevated woods to the hawk counting point at Hawk Ridge in Duluth, Minnesota last Wednesday, September 2nd. I usually wait for peak hawk migration during mid-September to make my pilgrimage to Hawk Ridge, but surprisingly, I couldn't wait! I was there last Wednesday for the highest count of the season at that point: 790 raptors! It was also the highest count among the many American hawk count sites that day; plus there were thousands of songbirds migrating too, and the hawk count team tallies each individual of the many species of birds they see!

The exceptional new Leica Televid HD 82 Spotting Scope fitted with the Leica Vario 20x-to-60x Zoom Eyepiece delivers the world's best level of brightness in its class for a spotting scope. Leica's HD 82mm model achieves maximum bright, sharp views of birds with outstanding image quality and high color fidelity. To compliment the new Leica Televid Spotting Scope, Leica has also created a complete range of accessories including your choice of 2 zoom eyepieces, a 1.8x extender, an adaptor for digiscoping, an ever-ready case, and a new tripod that features a fluid video head. 

The Perky-Pet Copper Finish Triple Tube Feeder features 3 independent seed compartments so you can feed 3 different kinds of seeds or seed mixes separately in this eye-catching feeder. The clear seed tubes allow you to feed sunflower seeds, nyjer thistle seeds, and another seed variety or mix at once from this combination feeder. With 12 feeding ports to ensure there is plenty of room for a variety of seed-eating birds, the 10 pound seed capacity of this feeder provides lots of food before you need to think about refilling it. 

Eddie Bauer's Fall Sale is offering 25 to 40 percent off on hundreds of quality outdoor-indoor clothing. The Sale includes some of their best selling products, and it even involves some new fall arrivals. With cooler temperatures approaching, there is a great sale collection of outerwear too! Eddie Bauer is a go-to brand for many birders, so it's a good plan to see what items catch your eye during this mega-sale presentation. With a variety of styles, colors, and patterns to choose from, you will surely save more during this Eddie Bauer sale – and there are backpacks and rolling duffels on sale too. 

Documentation of the first record of a Far Eastern Curlew in eastern North America created a First Provincial Record for Quebec, while a Third State Record White-throated Thrush had Arizona birders hustling to Madera Canyon. An Eighth Provincial Record Yellow-billed Cuckoo was documented in Calgary, Alberta, and after that things get a little muddy: An Eighth State Record included 2 White-tailed Tropicbirds (8th & 9th?) observed offshore from New York, and an Eighth State Record of Eared Grebes that included a group of 3 in New Hampshire. 

Using Labor Day as a turning point between summer and fall, it’s a good time to take note of all the rewards of your bird photography efforts during the warm weather months that provided a prime nesting period and an abundance of fledglings and adults as early migration began. Enjoy taking a second look at the photos you have taken during the past 3 months, and while you are at it, update your files as best you can at this turning point in the year. You may even want to copy a few of your edited photos into a “Summer Favorites” file, and think about what makes each one special to you. 

If you are really excited about a few photos, do what I enjoy doing periodically: Share an email with 6 or 8 of your favorite fotos with friends and associates to keep in touch – or share your selection on the social media pages of your choice. Write a short, upbeat note and a wish for a great fall season for everyone too – it’s a great way to touch base periodically. 

With that suggestion in mind, I followed through and did my own review of summer bird photos, but I am sharing my Summer Favorites here with you, complete with some information about each photo in the associated caption. It has been an exceptional summer for bird photography, and I would like to think that I get a little better at photographing birds and bird activities each year – and hope you feel the same way about your bird photography. At the same time, each season’s photographs adds up to build your annual photo file, as well as a lifetime file of photos for future use and reference. 

It is also an excellent time to think about the months ahead and do a little planning about what birds we have missed during past Septembers and Octobers – the peak period of fall migration. It’s also time to consider what birding trips you would like to take that would emphasize bird photography along the way, or at a single destination. Will you be staying in-state, branching out to neighboring states, or flying cross-country to take in a birding festival with a special guided field trip for bird photography? 

At the same time, don’t underestimate the opportunities you can try to create in your own yard, or at a nearby park, nature center, or refuge. It’s a great time to recalibrate your bird photography aspirations to a higher level; and often that’s just a matter of dedicating more time to be outdoors with your camera in hand – Good Luck!  

            Article and Photographs by Paul Konrad

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