night migration/ bird movement

UB4 gardener · #1 (**permalink**) 20-11-2007, 07:34 PM

Hi all, most nights, if not all i hear what i think are redwings passing over the house after dark at varying times. does anyone know of any research done on night migrations?

Many thanks
Chris.

paulchandler6 · #2 (**permalink**) 20-11-2007, 07:41 PM

I'm sure it is Redwing you are hearing, like a "siii" (sorry my phonetics are rubbish).
There has been a mountain of work done on night migration using radar and all sorts. A majority of migratory species move at night, Thrushes, Warblers etc. Have heard several wader species and Geese at night flying over during the migration period

Paul

naturelover · #3 (**permalink**) 20-11-2007, 08:02 PM

i have heard geese at night flying over in a group of 6 to 8 birds chattering away in their own toung,you cant mistake them because they are so noisy,talking about noisy a neigbour two doors away has geese in her back garden,they do their noise sometimes in the middle of the night,i dont know if something disturbs them or do they just like hearing them selves.

paulchandler6 · #4 (**permalink**) 20-11-2007, 08:24 PM

usually the calls and sounds you hear from flying birds are contact calls. Reassuring each other that they are still with the group or trying to get a response from the same species that they may have been separated from.

Paul

rlchew · #5 (**permalink**) 20-11-2007, 09:33 PM

I can not really help with night migration but hearing calling Redwing on cold, still autumn nights is definitely one of nature's pleasures

Richard

wildlifesnapper · #6 (**permalink**) 20-11-2007, 09:45 PM

Hi

yes I heard quite a few last weekend while out with the telescope.I think it is a lovely noise and it did take my mind off my COLD fingers

neil

Andy Warne · #7 (**permalink**) 21-11-2007, 06:24 AM

There have also been studies done where people have watched the moon and counted the migrating birds silhouetted against it. A quick google found this American site,

Moon-watching: Studying Birds that Migrate at Night

Not very scientific but I had just bought a powerful torch and was larking about in the garden one night, shining it into the air, and just happened to pick up a flock of about thirty waders. Unfortunately they were silent and my best guess was Golden Plover.