The blackpoll's amazing long journey

Autumn is upon us and with it comes some of the most beautiful colors in nature. Tree leaves turn to shades of orange, yellow, red and brown before falling to decorate the ground and nature trails. Hidden in the beauty of this foliage is the fall migration of many of our songbirds. Fall migration is notably different than the much more celebrated spring migration. Spring migration for many songbirds occurs over a span of a few weeks — it is more intense; the birds are more colorful. The males are migrating in breeding form, wearing a tuxedo or their best suit — singing and dancing for the females. The leaves may have not yet bloomed, making it easier to see the birds in the trees. In the fall, many of the males are a drab color, making them difficult to see and identify in the vibrant foliage. They are not trying to impress anyone — it is like they put on a comfortable pair of sweatpants for the long and dangerous trip. There is probably not a bird that exemplifies songbird migrations better than the blackpoll warbler. A migration champion, the blackpoll warbler is a small songbird weighing no more than half an ounce that makes a 12,5000-mile round trip migration, including an extreme overwater flight in the fall. It has the longest flight and migration period of any warbler. In the spring, blackpolls migrate from South America north through the Caribbean and Florida. In the springtime, it is easy to see a blackpoll in Florida. From there they spread out through the eastern United States to their breeding range in northern Canada and Alaska. Fortunately, many of them migrate through the Great Lakes area and we get to witness their remarkable migration for a couple of weeks in May. They head to the conifers where the female will choose a nest site from a few feet off the ground up to about 15 feet up in the trees. They practice site fidelity, often returning to the same area each spring. They lay four to five eggs, sometimes two broods per year, and both parents will help feed the hatchlings. Blackpolls are omnivores, eating insects such as aphids, caterpillars and beetles, as well as spiders and berries. They have a distinctive "seet-seet-seet-seet" song. Blackpolls are elliptical migrators — meaning they take a different route in the fall. Rather than fly south straight through the eastern United States, retracing their spring route, they fly easterly, to the northeast Atlantic coast — such as Maine and New Jersey. From there they make this incredible journey across the Atlantic Ocean, taking a straight path to South America. This route involves a tremendous three-day, 2,000-mile non-stop trek over the ocean (though some may pause in Bermuda or the Antilles). Before undertaking this dangerous and remarkable flight, they need to build up their energy reserves, nearly doubling their weight (hence the sweatpants). For that reason, they can be a late migrant leaving the breeding ground in August but lingering around through early October as they prepare for their flight. In taking this path, it is rare to see a blackpoll in Florida — its route is farther east. However, here in northeastern Ohio we do get to see the blackpoll warbler throughout the month of September as it migrates east to the coast before heading south. In the spring, the male blackpoll is distinctive and stunning in black and white colors. However, in the fall, like the changing of the leaves, the blackpoll has now lost its contrasting colors and is drab in appearance — saving every bit of energy for its long trip back. Because several other warblers also go drab in the fall, they can be difficult to identify. However, one of the distinguishing features is their yellow-orange legs. Blackpolls are still common, but declining — they are listed by Partners in Flight as a species in steep decline. Their breeding grounds are at risk for industrial development. This year they may have been affected by the Canadian wildfires which devastated the Canada boreal forest belt. They migrate at night and are susceptible to window and building collisions. The blackpoll is a remarkable bird and whether you see it in spring or fall, you are looking at a bird that makes one of the most extraordinary migrations in nature. That's the best part about birds, there is usually so much more to their story than just the moment when you see a bird resting in a tree. Black River Audubon activities September field trip Saturday, 9 a.m., Letha House Park, 5800 Richman Road, Spencer. Meet at large parking lot furthest into the park. October program Oct. 3, 7 p.m. at French Creek Nature Center; open to the public. Ray Stewart will be presenting "Vernal Pools: The Woodland Ephemeral Enigma." This presentation will provide a foundation for understanding the unique ecology of a special type of seasonal wetland called Vernal Pools. It will show the special kinds of animals that live there, and often, nowhere else. These temporary waters are often small, overlooked and threatened. Found mostly in wooded areas across the state, careful management will assure that these extremely productive habitats remain so.